24th March 2024 - KO 11AM - More to follow
Tommy’s brother Harry along with friends put on another highly contested Charity football match, organised by Charity trustees Michelle and Kelvin, along with amazing support from Alison and all the helpers on the evening. It was almost a re-run of the 1st ever game held back in 2022. With the teams being handpicked from some of Birmingham's best talent...and some retired but just as keen athletes it was game on, they even managed to sign ex-pro footballer Dele Adebola, the same blend as it was last year with Harry having the "younger" team but not to be outdone was the classy and masterful veterans organised by Ant.
The match took place again in the first week of October at the Hayes Football pitch.
It was familiar territory, and the stakes were high, however the goal remained the same...to raise money for the charity so to help provide funds for defibrillators all in memory of Tommy.
The event, in total, raised an amazing £1338.40
Harry's team was filled with some of the best skilful players anywhere this side of the M42... what they lack in experience they made up for in fitness and skill.
Not to be outshone, Ant's team was stacked with class throughout, they may not have superior fitness and speed but what they did ooze is pure class, an eye for a pass and the footballer’s brain.
A special tribute to the amazing Tommy Bry Plant, a balloon release and a minute’s applause in memory of the inspirational Tommy
Amazing support from ex-pro Dele Adebola, he has played for 16 clubs in his career, with his longest spells at Crew Alexandra, Birmingham City and Coventry City
The match was hotly contested, and the goals were a plenty, in the end the result was simply two teams playing football to raise money in memory of Tommy Plant.
Everyone here at the Chairty would like to express our deepest gratitude for all your efforts.
What an amazing evening for the Charities first live music event, with the room full it was a greatly supported event. The much-anticipated live music started with a bang, getting the room singing from the beginning. The room was decorated wonderfully with Charity balloons and mini stories on each table telling the life of the inspirational Tommy.
The live music was simply top class, the crowd was involved and sang to their hearts content with some amazing old and new songs. From drums, guitar, saxophone through to vocals and everyone in between including the support teams you really were top drawer, the charity would like to thank you all for such a wonderful evening.
The special event, which included ticket sales, raffle tickets and not forgetting the simply wonderful contribution made by all those involved at Billesley Tennis with sponsored Rallies......the total raised is an amazing
£2400.15
Absolutely wonderful work by everyone involved.
Elder brother Harry & Tommys Mom, Alison, show their pride at arranging such an amazing event. Here they are standing proud next to the Charity banner
This band certainly can entertain, an amazing live set and thoroughly entertaining, playing old and new music amongst the classics and all live, they never missed a beat with everything on point. Here is one of the lead vocalists, who also plays saxophone, Hansell...just so happens he is also a top tennis coach.
It didn't take long for the dance floor to fill with all the wonderful friends, family and supporters....without none of this would of been possible
The support from everyone was overwhelming, everyone had a great evening and all in support for such a wonderful cause.
The Charity would like to make a special thank you to everyone involved at Billesley Tennis Centre. The centre, off their own back, organised a sponsored rally event where anyone could enter with the aim see how long they could maintain a rally for, they were all sponsored and raised an awesome amount, just under £1000 which the Charity are overwhelmed with. We do not have all the names involved but, from us all here at the Charity we would like to send you special thanks, to one of the lead coaches, Stuart, for organising, all the staff for your involvement and spirit and a huge thanks for everyone that raised sponsorship...with your massive fund raising this alone is enough to purchase a defibrillator outright, so amazing.
The centre is owned by Birmingham City Council, under the
Birmingham Community Leisure Trust and Serco Leisure Operating Ltd as their Managing Agent
https://www.birminghamleisure.com/billesley-tennis-fitness-centre/
In no particular order the Charity would like to, whole heartedly thank the following for their generosity:
Tattoo Voucher - Lex @ Bespoke Ink
Naked Bakes Voucher - Gemma Hammill
Beautiful Body Art Voucher - Naomi Atkinson
2 x Family Tickets for Wythall Transport Museum
Super Car Experience - Professor Willys sweet shop, Kings Heath
Skin by Scarlet Voucher - Scarlet Laffoley
Traditional Sweet Shop Vouchers - Professor Willys sweet shop, Kings Heath
Herbert’s Yard Voucher
Monsoon Voucher
Beckets Farm Voucher
Domino's Pizza Voucher
£30 Nail Voucher - Nails of Britain
Rubery Fish Bar Voucher
4 ball at Forest Arden Golf club from Coleman Electrical Services
4 ball at Fulford Golf Club
Wetherspoons Voucher £25 - Nikki Rumney
4 Day Passes at Woodrush Gym
Wash and blow-dry at Born Beautiful Maypole
Family photo shoot worth £100 - New Photo Company, Kings Heath
Starter Cricket Sets - Boundry Sports, Kings Heath
Admission for 4 and a meal at Perry Barr Dog Track - Simon Deakin
Entry Track admission to the dogs - Simon Deakin
Meal for 2 at Desco Lounge Shirley
Funky Golf Voucher for 4 people
£15 Little Dessert Shop Voucher, Kings Heath
£50 Next Voucher - Tony Jacques from Fresh Media
Tommy’s brothers, George and Harry wanted to pay tribute to their youngest brother so decided, as Tommy loved football, to organise a Charity match, they would both captain their respective sides. As the teams were carefully selected, some players being dragged out of retirement for Georges team, with Harry they had youth on their side. It was easy, everyone wanted to be a part of it so the match was organised and went ahead on 2nd October 2022 at the Hayes Football pitch.
The 2 teams were formed with 1 aim, raise money for the charity so to help provide funds for defibrillators all in memory of Tommy
The special event, along with a raffle afterwards raised raising an amazing £2907.84 .... absolutley amazing work by everyone involved.
Harry [Harrys Heroes] & George [Georges Greats] shake hands just before kick off.
It was a close match with the 'young' Harrys Heroes showing their skills and taking an early lead
A special tribute to the amazing Tommy Bry Plant, above are some of Tommys family after the match
The game was played in great spirits, with players having fun a long the way. Here is captain George carrying one of the Harrys heroes down the wing
In the end for the last 10mins, each team played all their players, as you can imagine it was like the old school days with 5 or 6 chasing the ball. The scores were getting muddled a bit but overall it was fun and many tired legs, in the end there was only one winner.... Thanks boys for all your hard work
Yesterday Kelvin Heath, completed Forever Tommy's Walk, supported every step of the way by his son Lewis , friends Ian and Jason. The walk was both amazing and emotional. Tommy had a picture taken when he drove the same route, so Kelvin wanted to emulate this by taking the same, Kelvin did Tommy proud that's for sure, the pictures and videos are below.
The start of the Forever Tommy's Walk started at the Molineux Stadium, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The first checkpoint, longest leg and the 2nd Stadium along the route was The Hawthorns, home to West Bromwich Albion.
The second checkpoint and the 3rd Stadium along the route was Villa Park, home to Aston Villa FC.
The third and final checkpoint along the route was St Andrews, home to Birmingham City FC
A short clip of the team getting ready to leave the start point at the Molineux, home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. As the rain started the team were in high spirits, just short of 20 miles lay in wait for them
The team, relying on some dodgy SATNAV seemed to circumnavigate Wolverhampton Town Centre, but eventually after changing to Google the team were back on track and more importantly back on the route
Well on their way now, the lads were making great progress and the sun was making itself known
Arriving at the Hawthorns the team passed what is the poshest Greggs ever, nearly 10 miles they arrive at the home of West Bromwich Albion, still going strong, sun burn starting to kick in now
Grabbing a quick bite and some much needed fluids the lads set off from their brief stop at the Hawthorns and set off to negotiate the back roads through Handsworth and onward onto Villa Park
Having searched for a Tesco since leaving Wolverhampton, one of the lads was desperate for a Tesco meal deal yet they found not one on the whole route so far, nearly at Villa park they hit a Tesco... by then it was too late, the lads had to press on as a welcoming committee was in wait
Blisters, some much needed support, quick replenishment taking on water... oh and a new member joined us for the last leg, Eva having turned down climbing Snowdon joined us as this meant more to her than anything else. The lads knew they were nearly there...but little did they know this would be their hardest leg
Off they went, new member leading the way the team now only had a few miles to go.... but it was going to be a hot one with a sting in it's tail
The team passed the infamous Garrison Pub, home to the Peaky Blinders, but not stopping they had just 1000m to go, all up hill. Turning the corner on the last 200m they hit St Andrews. One last push a couple decided to run the last 50m where they were greeted by family and friends
The view from our supporters... simply overwhelmed
The team crossed the finish line, at St Andrews in Birmingham, at 15:40hrs, some 6hrs 30 mins after leaving Wolverhampton. Here the team are standing next to the plaque installed at St Andrews in honour of Tommy
The effort involved was overwhelming, here Kelvin and Jason thank one another for keeping each other motivated along the way, tears and hugs were a plenty
We are so proud to announce that these amazing people, pictured above, climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest mountain in whole continent of Africa, standing a massive 5895m. They bravely took on the climb over many days, the group leader pictured in the red coat (Garry), wore the Charity wristbands for the entire journey. Having met Garry a month before we spoke how inspirational Tommy was to us all and told him about the Charity and our aims. He wanted to do something for Forever Tommys Trust so he wanted to take not just wristbands up with him, but he wanted to take picture of Tommy all the way to the summit, for some inspiration of his own
Here, in the picture, we can see these amazingly strong and proud men at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro holding, with pride, a picture of Tommy.
All of us here at the Charity are so proud of this achievement and taking Tommy to new heights. We want to thank them all for their hard work and training to enable them to get to the summit. Well done all and I don't think (yet anyway) that this can be beaten in terms of height, if anyone fancies Everest then please get in touch
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Registered Charity in England and Wales - 1203041