Fundraising events are being planned and donations and sponsors sought after a devastating fire ravaged through the storage facility of an amateur football team.
Bradley’s Army FC was formed in the memory of 20-year-old Heckmondwike man Bradley Gledhill, who was brutally murdered by a gang of four men and two teenagers in June 2020. The container unit used by the club was recently found to have been torched to the ground, leading to the loss of thousands of pounds worth of the club’s equipment.
Partner and head of employment law at Ison Harrison, Yunus Lunat, is Chair and coach at Mount Pleasant Juniors FC, a neighbouring football team and who share the pitch and storage facility with Bradley’s Army FC, which is located at Carters Fields in Batley. Both clubs discovered the fire had destroyed playing kit, football nets and corner flags, lawn mowers and equipment used on matchdays such as gazebos, barbecues and food supplies.
Sponsorship drive for fire-ravaged football club
Tesco Extra in Batley have generously contacted the clubs with an offer to help with a collection at the store on Saturday. As part of the event a team of volunteers will be taking up the challenge to ride the distance to Wembley Stadium.
Yunus expressed gratitude on behalf of both clubs:
“The response of the whole community has been fantastic. There have already been so many individual donations and messages which highlights the best of Batley. This offer from Tesco is another very kind gesture. I would also like to thank the staff of Hunters in Dewsbury who will be running the Dewsbury 10k for the cause.”
This weekend, a sponsored cycle will take place at the local supermarket using an exercise bike, involving many of the players and staff from both teams, while our own Yunus Lunat is also scheduled to pedal some miles for a fantastic cause.
Four men and two teenagers were jailed for life for the murder of 20-year-old Bradley after a trial at Leeds Crown Court in July 2021. However, each of them had their minimum sentences increased in December 2021 after the mother of Bradley Gledhill appealed to the Attorney General that the initial sentences were too lenient.
Multiple convictions for unprovoked murder in Batley
Bradley was stabbed repeatedly and kicked, punched and stamped upon by the gang in a seemingly unprovoked attack on Park Croft in Batley in June 2020, he was left to die in the street, while the two friends he was with were also attacked but survived. The attack was also witnessed by a young child.
The murder sent shockwaves through the community, who quickly gathered together to form the football club in Bradley’s memory as a way to commemorate his life. The recent fire at the container unit storage facility has been described as “a huge loss” to the club, but again, the community has wasted no time in rallying round to find ways to raise some much-needed funds and build the club again.
Ison Harrison are looking to make a direct donation to the fund, as well as Yunus Lunat taking part in the cycle fundraising event. The football club are also looking for possible shirt sponsors and for businesses to come forward to support the club with other sponsorship opportunities. This weekend’s fundraising events are just the start of the club’s battle to rebuild the club, and Ison Harrison have pledged to support the club’s efforts wherever it can. If you or your business would like to help Bradley’s Army FC with a donation or sponsorship proposal, you can start by contacting Ison Harrison today.
Post update: Monday 7th February 2022
Yunus completed his cycling mission to help raise money for Bradley’s Army FC! A total of £897.64 was raised, with donations from Ison Harrison and staff from Tesco.
Here are some photos from the event which took place on Saturday 5th February:
