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Charity football match in memory of Steve Yates at Manston Sports and Social Club

The life of an avid football fan has been honoured at an inaugural charity football match at Manston Sports and Social Club.

On Saturday, December 8 two teams battled it out to raise money for the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide charity.

The fixture was organised by the family of Steve Yates, who took his own life in May 2014, aged 38.

Lee Amos, Les Yates, Lorraine Yates, Claire Amos at Inaugural annual Steve Yates Shield, family fundraising with football tournament after dad/brother/son’s suicide..Picture: Wayne McCabe. (5873503)
Lee Amos, Les Yates, Lorraine Yates, Claire Amos at Inaugural annual Steve Yates Shield, family fundraising with football tournament after dad/brother/son’s suicide..Picture: Wayne McCabe. (5873503)

The father-of-two had moved back from Canada and was living with his parents in Birchington at the time of his death.

Steve’s sister, Claire Amos, said: “The match was a massive success - more than 200 people came along.

“It was very well-supported. Steve was a Man Utd fan, so we had two teams play, Manchester United fans and The Rest of The World fans.

Inaugural annual Steve Yates Shield, family fundraising with football tournament after dad/brother/son’s suicide..Picture: Wayne McCabe. (5873502)
Inaugural annual Steve Yates Shield, family fundraising with football tournament after dad/brother/son’s suicide..Picture: Wayne McCabe. (5873502)

“This year the Rest of The World fans won, so my dad was a bit disappointed as he was managing the Man Utd team. But it really was fantastic.”

A pre-screening of a documentary called Steve: Saving Men From Suicide was aired at 7.30pm.

Created by Steve’s best friend, Ben Akers, it features Steve’s parents, Les and Lorraine, and aims to raise awareness of the UK’s biggest killer of men under the age of 45.

It is hoped the feature will go on a pub tour next year to encourage conversation around male mental health issues. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/SteveDocumentary.

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