UEA Hockey Raises £25,000 for Charity

This year, UEA Hockey Club raised almost £2000 for the Meningitis Trust at the 11th annual Old Boys’ weekend, taking the total amount raised to over a staggering £25,000 to date.

Charity hockey meningitis sport

This year, UEA Hockey Club raised almost £2000 for the Meningitis Trust at the 11th annual Old Boys’ weekend, taking the total amount raised to over a staggering £25,000 to date.

The fundraiser event takes place in memory of former student and UEAHC team mate Mike Covell, who sadly passed away on 7th December 1997 after a brief battle with meningitis.

Mike was due to graduate from UEA in 2001, and since then the UEA Hockey Club has held an annual event in order to not only fundraise and pay tribute to him, but to raise awareness.

This year’s charity matches were held on the 30th October at UEA Sportspark, who themselves recently donated £700 of this year’s total raised.

The highlight of the memorial weekend is always the ‘Old Boys’ match, where the 1997 team reform with Mike’s older brother, David, taking his place in the side.

The format was revised this year, and after around robin tournament, a ‘Best of UEA Old Boys’ team was put together, featuring players from all different graduation years. They played against the current 1st XI UEA team, and went on to win the match 2-1 with some skillful play from both sides.

The support offered a yearly basis from the Sportspark is invaluable at this event, and their contribution of £700 towards the total accumulated this year was warmly received.

The money was raised through customer donations in exchange for copies of the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News through a promotion in conjunction with Archant Norfolk.

Acting Director of the Sportspark, Maria Rowe said, “The UEA hockey club should be very proud of their efforts and all the money they have raised over the last tens years or so for the National Meningitis Trust.

 

"I’m sure Mike’s family are touched by the support his team mates and friends have given to increasing awareness and ensuring this annual event takes place. I’m really pleased that the Sportspark has been able to add to this year’s donation thanks to our generous customers.

The Old Boys’ weekend has become an integral part of the UEAHC calendar, with everyone getting involved in one way or another.

The fundraising doesn’t stop there however, as Mike’s former friends and team mates enter into various marathons and mountain expeditions in aid of the Meningitis Trust throughout the year.

UEAHC will forever continue to support and raise funds for such a worthy cause, keeping it close to the heart of the club and paying tribute to such a well-loved player.