Press release
September 2008
Friends sign up for charity tournament in memory of Lincoln students
Sports students at the University of Lincoln have organised a charity football tournament at the beginning of term to remember two close friends.
Adam Gibbons and Daniel Sibley were both on the Sports Development and Coaching course at the University when their lives were suddenly cut short without warning and for entirely different reasons. Both were just 18-years-old.
Adam from Cherry Willingham, died of a brain haemorrhage on January 4 after being rushed to hospital on New Year’s Day. An all-round sportsman and keen footballer Adam had wanted to become a sports teacher. Daniel Sibley from Peterborough, died of meningitis just days after getting home from the University for the Christmas holidays. A member of Peterborough Rugby Club, he had dreamed of becoming a rugby coach.
Now a close friend Matt Wilson, who has just started his second year on the University’s Sport and Exercise Science course, has organised a charity football tournament with teams made up of second and third-year sports students as well as freshers. The event will take place at the University from 12 noon to 5pm on Friday 19th September.
Adam’s family have already raised thousands of pounds and set up the Adam Gibbons Sports Foundation and the money raised from the University event will be split between the foundation and a meningitis charity in memory of Daniel.
Matt, who went to school with Adam, said: “I want to make the event a success in order to give something back to someone who gave a lot to me when he was alive and I see it as my way of keeping alive the memory of two sports people, who loved their sport. It is an ideal opportunity not only to promote who Adam was, and what he stood for but also to raise the profile of his Fund and raise more money for it.”
Adam’s mum Ruth added: “Adam was only at the University for one term so I’m very pleased that his friends, many of whom went up from college with him to the University, are keeping his memory alive in this way. I want to thank them for doing this and especially Matt for organising the event.”
Matt is also looking for raffle prizes and trophies to hand out on the day and if anyone wants to get involved or donate money they should contact Matt via: