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Charity football match at Gallagher Stadium in aid of Maidstone United fan Joe Markiewicz, a former pupil at Barming Primary and Aylesford School

11:49, 06 August 2024

A match is being held in memory of a young football fan who died suddenly aged 16.

Later this month, there will be another charity game at The Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone in memory of Joe Markiewicz, in what has now become an annual tradition.

Joe Markiewicz died aged 16
Joe Markiewicz died aged 16

Joe was just 16 when he passed away in September 2019 from a brain haemorrhage after collapsing in the arms of his mother, Stephanie. There had been no warning and Joe had just enjoyed dinner after returning from a normal day at school.

Joe, who had been a pupil at Barming Primary and then Aylesford School, was a keen footballer and a supporter of Maidstone United.

The charity match on Friday, August 30, will kick off at 7.45pm.

It will be between Aylesford School Sixth Form and the Barming FC.

The event is used to raise money in Joe’s name for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, which flew him on the day of his collapse to a specialist London hospital.

Action from the 2023 match held in memory of Joe Markiewicz
Action from the 2023 match held in memory of Joe Markiewicz

Last year’s event was attended by around 400 people and raised £4,000.

That game ended 4-3 to Barming.

Admission is £5 for over 16s, £3 for five to 15-year-olds, and under fives free.

All welcome.

If you are not able to make it, but wish to support the cause, there is a JustGiving page for donations here.

After the match, there will be a raffle and drinks in the bar.

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