Fundraising Football Event To Be Held In UK
[Written by Stephen Wright]
A football tournament fundraiser will be held in Coventry, England, to help cover the medical costs for Zhamir Denbrook-Pitt, who suffered life-changing injuries in a motorcycle crash.
The 18-year-old sustained a severe spinal injury in a collision on St David’s in July.
Zhamir, a student at Croydon College in South London, was home for the summer break to spend time with family and enjoy the Cup Match holiday.
He underwent treatment at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Centre in Massachusetts before being airlifted to England to continue treatment at a medical facility in London.
The family and friends of Zhamir, a talented music artist, hope to raise $255,000 [£210,000] via a GoFundMe page to help pay for specialised medical care and therapy to improve his condition.
Organised by Dennis Zuill, a former Bermuda footballer and family friend, the First Annual ZhamirStrong Football Classic features four teams – Bermuda Masters, Bermuda Gombey, Dunlop Masters and Coventry All-Stars – and will take place at Dunlop Sports and Social Club on Sunday [October 29], starting at noon.
“We’ve managed to organise a Bermuda over-35s team, including Brandon Minors, my former captain at Dandy Town,” Zuill told Bernews.
“Roger Lee, the national team player, and cricketer Kamau Leverock will also be playing for one of the teams. There are about eight youngsters involved who used to play with Zhamir growing up at St George’s. There will be a lot of English-based Bermudians involved.”
Zuill, a senior coach for Sky Blues in the Community, the charity arm of Sky Bet Championship side Coventry City, added: “We have the facility from noon until midnight, so hopefully people can come along and donate to Zhamir. We’ll also have fun castles and things for children to do.”
Nahki Wells, the Bristol City forward, has provided a video message supporting the event. He has also supplied City kits for two teams to wear and several pieces of signed memorabilia.
“I just want to spread awareness of Zhamir’s case,” the former Bermuda forward said. “We’re trying to generate as much funds as possible for him and his family so he gets the care he needs.
“If you can support by donating anything to his GoFundMe page, it will be greatly appreciated. Hope to catch you all there this weekend.”
Several fundraising events for Zhamir have taken place on the island, including the ZhamirStrong 6K Family Fun, Walk, Run and Roll from Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club to St George’s Cricket Club last month.
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