Music festival to celebrate the life of teenager Tom Bothamley

A DAY of live music and entertainment will be held to celebrate the life of talented teenage footballer Tom Bothamley this weekend — a year after he died suddenly aged just 13.
Seen outside the Brush and Easel is Tom's mum, Keira Hayden with family and friends. 170993-1Seen outside the Brush and Easel is Tom's mum, Keira Hayden with family and friends. 170993-1
Seen outside the Brush and Easel is Tom's mum, Keira Hayden with family and friends. 170993-1

Tom’s mum Keira Hayden has organised TomFest — which will be held at the Brush and Easel pub, Flanderwell, on Saturday.

Teenage singers Alfie Sheard (15) and Raigan Worsley (16) will be among the acts who will perform at the event.

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Keira said: “We want it to be more of a party than anything else because it’s going to be really hard for us. 

“We have set up a proper fund now — The Thomas Bothamley Defibrillator Fund — and we have had people ask us for advice and get in touch which is really good.”

Tom, who played for Wickersley Youth Junior Football Club, died suddenly of a rare heart condition at his home on July 8, 2016.

His death was the third tragedy to hit Keira, who lost Tom’s dad Ryan suddenly at the age of 15.

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Keira’s son, Joshua Donnelly, also died on Christmas Day in 2007 aged just 23 months.

Tom’s family, including grandparents Julie and Paul Carder, launched a huge fundraising campaign following his death and have installed five defibrillators around Wickersley and Bramley in his memory.

Proceeds from TomFest will go towards the Thomas Bothamley Defibrillator Fund.

Julie said: “July 8 is the anniversary of when we lost Tom and because everyone came together in grief last year so now we want it to be a celebration and remembrance event for Tom.”

For more information search TomFest17 on Facebook.

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