12 Jul Ian Hudson Memorial Football Match Celebrates 10th Year
Vipond recently hosted the 10th annual Ian Hudson Memorial Football match in Glasgow. In addition to providing an opportunity for colleagues and friends to celebrate Ian’s life, the game also helps raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
Ian sadly passed away, aged 37, from a heart condition he had suffered since childhood. He left behind his partner, Julie, and his two children, Robbie and Rachel.
Ian was a popular and well-respected member of the Vipond team, and had developed strong relationships with colleagues, customers, and suppliers. He was a huge football fan, and Vipond has hosted a game in honour each year since his passing.
The Vipond team includes office staff, site engineers, and family members. They play against a local supplier, Martin Plant Hire, and the two sides have developed a strong but friendly rivalry, both keen to take home the Ian Hudson Memorial trophy.
Coming into the game, Martin Plant Hire was on a run of five consecutive wins, but Vipond finally won the trophy back this year with an emphatic 5-1 victory!
Shaun Fraser bagged a brace for Vipond, and the other three goal scorers were Sean Thomas, Aaron Wright, and Stephen Kirk. The whole team performed excellently, particularly centre-back Alex Chatterton, who commanded a strong defence and was awarded the coveted Man of the Match prize.
The sun was out this year, and the game was well-attended by friends, families, and colleagues. Alongside the football, there was a raffle and auction to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The total amount raised was £2,750, which will be added to additional contributions made to our Just Giving page and presented to BHF to support their medical research and amazing work raising awareness of heart and circulatory diseases.
Since 2014, the Ian Hudson Charity match has raised over £20,000 – an outstanding testament to Ian’s memory and the generosity of all who have contributed.
Isabel Quinn, BHF Fundraising Manager for the West of Scotland, thanked everyone for their support over the last ten years:
“Your support powers our life-saving research. You are our heroes. The money you raise, the items you donate, and the time you volunteer help protect the people you love. Your children, parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and closest friends.
Coronary Heart Disease is Scotland’s biggest killer, with 7,000 victims in Scotland every year and 20 each day. Thank you so much once again for your support, and for helping the BHF fund lifesaving research and help those living with heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland.”
Special thanks to Alastair Wilson, Managing Director, Vipond for his continued support, to Derek Watson and Jamie Boyle who managed and motivated the team to victory, and to all of our suppliers who actively engaged and supported our efforts.
We’re still accepting donations through our Just Giving page. All contributions will be gratefully received and delivered to the British Heart Foundation.
