Charity football match for house fire victim, Julie Wakefield at Broomfield Park
08:36, 10 September 2018
updated: 08:38, 10 September 2018
A charity football match was held for a mum who lost everything and suffered serious injuries in a house fire.
Julie Wakefield, 49, jumped from an upstairs window after home in Ames Road, Swanscombe, went up in flames last month.
In her bid to escape, she broke her spine, ribs, pelvis and hand and was put in an induced coma in hospital.
Luckily, her son Matt managed to escape unharmed.
After news spread about the incident, neighbours rallied together to help raise funds and collected household items to help her.
On Sunday, Swanscombe Tigers Football Club held the charity match at Broomfield Park, with each player paying £10 to take part. There was also a raffle to help boost funds.
A GoFundMe page has now received more than £3,000 in donations.
The day was arranged by Ms Wakefield’s sister, Claire Buckley-Uings and it also raised money for two other charities.
Sally White, 40, helped to set up the online fundraising page after hearing of the family’s plight just days after fire.
She said: “It was good. I arrived at around 2.30pm and we had the raffle and we had a burger stand.
“The Pavilion was open as well and was serving drinks to people.
“There were so many there and it was very busy, it was just lovely to see everyone smiling and laughing.”
An American night was also hosted by Swanscombe and Greenhithe town mayor, Cllr Anita Barham at The Grove.
If you would like to donate you can visit www.gofundme.com/collection-for-matt-amp-julie.
