A local family has pledged two thousand pounds of legacy funding to enable 12 local youngsters to play football at Littledown in memory of their 16-year-old son Billy Lardner.
Billy tragically died in June 2023 after being struck by a car near Bournemouth Airport. A legacy fund was established in Billy’s name to enable young people in the local community to access sport and leisure facilities. Billy himself was passionate about sport – a keen football player and supporter of AFC Bournemouth and Rangers. In this first community initiative, the Lardner family has gifted funding from Billy’s legacy to Littledown Juniors, a children’s football league, to enable other budding footballers to enjoy the game, just like Billy had.
Anna Lardner, Billy’s mum shared;
“Billy loved football and had been at Littledown Juniors from 5 years old, watching his older brother and waiting to be old enough to take part. When old enough Billy joined Littledown Juniors and it became a family event that we all looked forward to. Rain or shine on a Saturday morning, we’d go to Littledown early for a pre-game kick about, play the matches chat and spend time with other families or head over to the cafe for some post-match chips. We’d then go to Grandma’s after, to tell her all about the games that had been played. It was such a precious time, we all got involved and loved it. It was so social and we saw Billy’s confidence grow too. These Saturday mornings are what inspired Billy’s passion for football. As well as playing at Littledown Juniors, Billy from 7 years old, his dad and brother became season ticket holders at AFC Bournemouth, Billy also followed Glasgow Rangers watching televised matches, enjoying this with his dad who grew up outside Glasgow.
“Thanks to the generosity of all those who donated to Billy’s legacy fund, we felt that a fitting tribute was to help more families enjoy the same experience that Billy did. That’s why we are pledging to help 12 youngsters aged 6-7 years old to enrol in Littledown Juniors this September to discover their own passion for football. These spaces are for children who are facing difficulties, such as families who have experienced a bereavement; for families going through hardship, or for young carers who are in need of some respite to enjoy a shared interest in community sport.”
“We know Billy would have loved this idea and we thank all those who have helped us do something so positive and impactful in Billy’s name.”
Charlotte Mandale, Littledown’s Junior Co-Ordinator, said,
“We are grateful to be beneficiaries of Billy’s legacy fund; to enable more young people in our community to be united through a shared love of football. It is a privilege to work with Billy’s family and unlock more opportunities for young people to enjoy this sport and all the social benefits it brings too.
“As a tribute to Billy’s two favourite teams, we’ll also be renaming two of our teams to Cherries and Rangers; something we are sure Billy would’ve enjoyed immensely!”
To find out more about Littledown Juniors and apply for the legacy-funded places which start in September 2024, please contact littledownjuniors@bhlive.org.uk
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Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
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About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
Our social objectives are to:
- Encourage more people to take part in physical activity– by providing leisure facilities to encourage active communities and improve health and wellbeing.
- Attract bigger entertainment audiences– with a diverse range of cultural and artistic events that appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
- Deliver economic benefit– by hosting major conferences, exhibitions and events that benefit the local, regional and international economy.
With more than five million visits a year we are changing lives and are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
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BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.
It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.
It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football.
Littledown Juniors is a structured football pathway, starting with our indoor coaching academy for 3-5 year-olds, moving on to outdoor league and cup competition for 6-17 year-olds.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the region with an exercise referral and children’s activity programme. Hundreds of weekly group exercise classes are offered including the Les Mills programme.
Indoor facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, 17-metre teaching pool, a splash pool and spa. There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. The venue also has a café, bar and soft play facility.
Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
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