Garswood Stags to host charity rugby game in memory of the 'best mum'

Last week, Paul Courtney announced on social media that his sister Lesley Phillips had tragically passed away, aged 38.

The family were flooded with hundreds of tributes and messages of support after the tragedy was announced, and a charity rugby match has been organised to raise money for funeral costs and a mental health charity.

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Garswood Stags have organised a charity rugby game in memory of Lesley (Image: Garswood Stags)
As Paul plays for Garswood Stags open-age rugby league team, the club, which prides itself as being a "family and community club", has helped to organise a charity game against Wigan Bulldogs.

Raising money for funeral costs and the 'Epic Hope' mental health charity, the fundraiser has already raised more than £2,500, with the game set to take place at Birch Grove playing fields at 2.30pm on Saturday, May 11.

The money has been raised by family, friends, club sponsors, and the wider rugby league community, with Kevin Donachie from St Helens based Cleanhire adding £500 to the pot and family friend Kathy Mitchinson raising another £500 by raffling off prizes.

With the match hoping to highlight a huge show of support for Paul and the family, the club aims to reach more than £4,000 from the fundraising.

The game will raise funds for funeral costs and a mental health charity (Image: Garswood Stags)

Speaking about the charity game, coach and club secretary at Garswood Stags, Jonathon Rattigan, said: "I didn't know Lesley personally, but I thought it would be nice to be able to do something to help the family out towards funeral costs, raise some money for charity, and most importantly, raise awareness of mental health and suicide.

"At the Stags, we pride ourselves on being a real family and community club, and we like to give back as much as we can to our players and the local community.

"With the help of our amazing sponsors, such as Kevin Donachie from Cleanhire who has sponsored this weekends game and donated £500, we have been able to make great progress on and off the field.

​"So far, the GoFundMe page stands at just over £2500, plus Kev's donation and more to come from raffles, such as Kathy Mitchinson who has raised £500.

"We are hoping to push the total raised to £4000, and I should also say a massive thanks to Dave Southern and Wigan Bulldogs for helping to get the game organised this weekend."

Friends have helped to raffle off prizes to raise money (Image: Kathy Mitchinson)
After Lesley's tragic passing was announced, Paul described her as the "best mum, daughter, sister, girlfriend, and friend that anyone could ask for".

As messages of support flooded in, he posted on social media: "It's honestly overwhelming with how much has been raised so far for Lesley and the effort people are putting on and have put in.

"You are all amazing people and honestly love every single one of you.

"Rugby league is 100% one big family. Thank you to everyone who has shared the post and donated money and raffle prizes."

• To donate towards Garswood Stag's fundraiser for the family and Epic Hope, you can visit this link.
• Further information about Epic Hope and the work they do around mental health and suicide prevention can be found here.
• Further mental health and suicide support can be found at Samaritans website here.