Dorset’s biggest landlord organised a memorial football match for one of its workers who died leaving a young family.
DWP Housing Partnership took on Bournemouth Council’s housing department in the game played in memory of Kevin Ware.
Kevin, a gas engineer, was 34 when he died from leukaemia in July last year, leaving wife Katrina and two young children; Harry, eight, and George, five.
The match raised several hundred pounds for the trust fund set up for the boys, and fundraising continues.
DWP Housing Partnership holds a ‘Mufti day’ once a month during which staff pay £2 each to dress as they wish – and these donations will also go to the trust fund.
Kevin’s colleague Dave Phillips organised the football match, which DWP Housing Partnership won 8-2.
He said: “Kevin had worked here for four years and was the same age as me and it has affected us all. Organising a match was just a way of raising some money for Kevin’s children.”
Kevin’s widow Katrina said: “DWP Housing Partnership have been really supportive and I’ve been very touched.
“At the end of the day Kevin was an employee, but he had so many friends there and everything they have done for my family has been so lovely.
“We’re just trying to get on with things and I decided the best way forward was to throw myself into everything.”
Steve Wells from DWP Housing Partnership said: “It was very sad to lose Kevin who was extremely popular here and a very good engineer.
“Our staff have been keen to help raise some money for Kevin’s children and will continue to do so.”
It is possible to donate to the trust fund for Kevin’s children via DWP Housing Partnership.
Ed Baker
