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Over 100 people gathered at Lincoln Uni yesterday for a charity hockey game in memory of Grace Millane

The hockey match will become a yearly event in memory of Grace


The University of Lincoln Hockey team dedicated a game yesterday to former member, Grace Millane, who was killed in New Zealand last week.

At the beginning of the game, a member of the team announced a two minute silence in memory of Grace. Around 100 people came to watch the hockey match.

The team gathered in a large circle in the centre of the pitch, dropped their hockey sticks and held hands as the air fell silent in tribute to their former team member.

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The team and spectators took an emotional two minute silence

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After the silence, the crowd gave a round of applause as the team huddled in support

The sports society, from all four year groups, had been sorted into two teams, "Danny's" and "Pringles", which were names from an inside joke members had with Grace.

The match will take place each year from now on, with all year groups within the society coming together in memory of the loss of their former teammate.

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Members from all year groups were part of the game

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Passion was put into every hit of the ball

There were two crowds of supporters, one side of the pitch being hockey team members and close friends of Grace, the other side being spectators that had gathered in support.

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Members of the Hockey team cheering for the players

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Spectators gathered on the sport's centre astroturf yesterday afternoon

Members walked around with collection buckets in exchange for blue and yellow ribbons that represented the colours on the hockey teams uniforms.

The donations were in support of a cancer charity campaign the hockey society has set up online in Grace's honour. They have already exceeded their £1,000 target, raising £4,265 so far.

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Donations were made at the event for Candles, a Lincoln based cancer charity

As the game progressed, the number of spectators grew even further in numbers, including many sports societies who wore their own uniforms as representation.

The Hockey team and the University of Lincoln Students' Union both provided statements on social media earlier this week.

Kudzai Muzangaza, President of the Students' Union stated: “The whole University of Lincoln community is supporting the hockey team and anyone else affected by the news of Grace’s passing. Our wishes and condolences go out to Grace’s family and friends, and we ask at this time that the privacy of those closest to Grace, and the Hockey team is respected as students process this past week’s events.”

On Twitter, the hashtag #HerLightOurLove has been used all over the world with pictures of pink sunsets in memory of Grace.

(Photography: @greythorn_productions)