Winning gesture
Hamish Hutchinson • Published 27 Sep 2012 09:00
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FRIENDS and family gathered to remember Tommy Preston with a football match that reunited his team mates and raised £3624.50 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The 37-year-old window cleaner was diagnosed with a brain tumour and battled the disease for five years before passing away in September last year.
To mark the anniversary of his death, a football match was staged at West End Park and a memorial bench was unveiled - donated by Beatsons and Gary Preston.
Agnes McAlpine, Tommy's aunt, said, "It was very sad for his friends and family but everyone involved made it extra special. Tommy was only 37 years of age when he was taken from us due to a brain tumour and a nicer man you wouldn't get anywhere.
"His three children including his daughter in law (Gavin Preston, Gemma Preston, Chelsea Preston and Kieran Preston) helped support his memorial event. His mum, Maryann Farmer, and James Trainer assisted in various events and supported us even though it was extremely hard for them.
"One word describes this wonderful man - simply, the best."
Tommy, from Alloa, played for the Star Inn in his younger days.
Five years ago he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and doctors were unable to operate.
His cousin Donna said, "If you didn't know he was having treatment you wouldn't have known. He was really brave and never thought about himself, always about his three kids."
His former Star Inn team mates reunited on 15 September to play in his memory.
The players, who wore a specially designed strip commemorating the life of Tommy, were up against a younger team (including Tommy's sons) wearing Rangers FC strips, donated by the Glasgow club.
Graham Bell and Charie Lennox piped in the two teams before there was a minute's silence.
The inaugural match, of what is expected to become an annual memorial event - including a cup donated by Cabelo Arte - ended with a 6-4 victory to the younger team. After the match there was entertainment and a raffle, including donations from local businesses, at Peppe's in Alloa.
Agnes said, "Thanks go to the people who bought items from the auction, everyone who helped in any way possible, bought tickets, football tickets, lucky dip items and raffles too. A massive thanks to you all from the family."
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 26 Sep 12
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