Match tribute to loved grandfather (From Swindon Advertiser)

Match tribute to loved grandfather

6:40pm Monday 4th June 2012 in News By Emma Dunn

FRIENDS and family of a popular grandfather took to the pitch just days after he died to raise funds in his memory.

Ian Winton, of Stratton St Margaret, lost his battle with leukaemia on May 18, exactly a year after being diagnosed with the disease.

The 61-year-old died just two days before a charity football match he had been helping to organise, which still went ahead and raised hundreds of pounds for Churchill Hospital, in Oxford, where he was being cared for when he died.

Ian’s colleague at Unique Financial Planning, Graham Faulkner, said: “Despite the sad news both Ian’s wife, Gill, and his son James, who was one of the players, were keen to play the match.

“Despite Unique Financial Planning losing 6-2 to Openwork Head Office, the goal of the game was scored by Ian’s son James, to provide a poignant moment that everyone agreed was a fitting tribute to Ian.”

Ian was father to Steven, Stuart, James, Louise and Robert, and grandfather to Jordan, Mason and Jack.

A similar match was played last year, which raised more than £500 for the Openwork Founda-tion, which is part of Zurich Cares.

“Ian played an active role in last year’s match and as a result a big crowd turned out to support the efforts to raise money.” said Graham.

“We had already agreed to honour Ian by calling the challenge the Winton Churchill Leukaemia Cup and by raising money for the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

More than £1,200 has been pledged in his memory for the Churchill Hospital Trust via Zurich Community Trust.

A funeral service will take place at Kingsdown Crematorium on June 6, at 1.30pm.

Family flowers only but donations can be made to “Charitable Funds”, to then be donated to Day Room at Oxford.

To donate to Ian’s fundraising website visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/WintonChurchillLeukaemiaCup.