A Swindon memorial hockey game has been organised by the best friend of a man who died of cancer.
The Darren Taylor Memorial Game is in its fourth year having already raised tens of thousands in the name of a “lively character who loved life”.
Darren’s best friend, Scott Gough, said: “He was a lively character. He was very popular and quite pivotal in terms of holding the team together.
“He would always organise social events - he liked to socialise and he liked to enjoy life. That was him in a nutshell.”
Darren died in 2018 aged 36 of sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that forms in the bones and soft tissues.
He was cared for in his final days by the Wrougton-based Prospect Hospice, for which the game now raises money.
“Prospect were fantastic - the people down there were nothing but amazing, and that’s the reason we do what we do”, said Scott.
“We did tell him before he passed that we intended to do something and we had a team get-together just after he had gone and then we came up with this.
“So since then we've driven it every year to make sure it happens and it's really good.”
Darren played for the Panthers, a Swindon-based hockey club, for around 15 years and in the match his old teammates combined with ex-pro players will play against the current Panthers team.
Around £24,000 has been raised by the previous three games combined and the aim this year is to hit £15,000 - the highest amount so far.
The group's first event, held in 2019, received donations totalling up to £5,714, and by 2023 they had nearly doubled that amount, raising £10,560.
Darren's mum, Kathy, and dad, Clive, said: "We are incredibly grateful to the special people who organise the memorial for Darren each year.
"Also the link centre and all the players' family and friends who turn up to donate to Prospect Hospice in Darren’s memory."
Scott was thankful to support from the Wildcats, who lent the ice rink for free saving the event around £500, as well as support from the Harvester pub.
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Scott described what to expect: “Family and friends come, a selection of old players that are friends of Darren's, and ex-Wildcats. We've probably got about 400 people.
“It's a real friend and family kind of thing.”
When asked what Darren would make of the event, Scott said: “I think he'd be overwhelmed.”
The event is free, with money raised purely from donations, and is open to the general public to attend.
It will be held on October 19, 1pm at the Link Centre.
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