DoItForJosh Football Tournament success

The inaugural Josh Alexander Cup football tournament took place on Sunday 24 September, and was a huge success. Teams and spectators came together to celebrate Josh's passion for football and to remember Josh, with the TW Blue Balls FC walking away the winners with the Josh Alexander trophy.

The memorial event was organised by Josh's family, and the 6-a-side football tournament saw family and friends and the local football community come together at Horntye Sports Park for the celebration event, where everyone enjoyed a memorable afternoon of football in the sunshine.

#DoItForJosh t-shirts were for sale, alongside a delicious selection of homemade cakes and a raffle, with amazing prizes. The tournament raised just under a fantastic £1,000, which will go towards the next Active Hastings Adult Weight Management project. Josh played a vital role in running the Active Hastings Weight Management project and was passionate about keeping Hastings healthy.

Becky, Josh's mum said: "The football tournament was a huge success, and we are so grateful to everyone who supported us in this. It was a great day for Josh's friends and family to remember him and take part in a sport they have such fond memories of with him. I know that Josh would have absolutely loved the day and would be proud of the money raised to support such an important cause."

Cllr Andy Batsford, lead councillor for Health and Culture at Hastings Borough Council, said: "I was delighted to bring a team along to the tournament to remember Josh, who was such a valued and dedicated member of the Active Hastings team. Josh's family worked so hard to make the football tournament a very special day. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to remember Josh and to play the sport he loved the most. It really was a wonderful tribute to Josh."

A number of local companies came together to support the tournament including: Play Sport, Paul Wilson from JT Embroidery, Claire from Heart and Sole Runners, Horntye Sports Complex and all the local companies who donated generous prizes for the raffle.

Active Hastings is hosted by Hastings Borough Council, in partnership with East Sussex County Council, and brings together a wide range of local and national partners to ensure that everyone in Hastings can get active. There are a range of exercise classes to suit everyone, visit the Active Hastings website for the list of activities happening near you.