Burton Albion take on Mickleover Sports at the Raygar Stadium this evening; 7:45pm kick off.
It is the final match of the Brewers’ pre-season schedule before the season's curtain raiser away at Cheltenham this coming Saturday.
The match will also commemorate the life of Burton Albion and Mickleover Sports supporter Keith Calladine.
Keith passed away following a heart attack whilst attending the Mickleover Sports v Buxton match at the Raygar Stadium on March 28th 2012; having watched the Brewers the previous evening at the Pirelli Stadium.
Keith passed away following a heart attack whilst attending the Mickleover Sports v Buxton match at the Raygar Stadium on March 28th 2012; having watched the Brewers the previous evening at the Pirelli Stadium.
His son Paul has already raised thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation with a series of charity runs and now hopes that tonight's match will be a fitting tribute to his dad as well as an opportunity to raise further money for charity, having set up the KC Trust in his dad’s honour with the aim of supplying as many heart defibrillators as possible; starting with local sports clubs and venues.
Paul commented: 'For 35 years my father suffered heart attack after angina attack after heart attack. He was told throughout my childhood that he was too young to have a heart transplant or bypass. At the age of 65 he finally got the chance of an improved life style with a quadruple heart bypass performed at Papworth Hospital, Cambridge.
'Whilst I was growing up, my dad always helped others. He was the man that people came to for help. Going through all his issues, I truly can’t remember him asking for anything from anyone, I’m sure there were times that he did, but what he didn’t do was let me or my brothers see that of him.
'After his operation, my dad had a couple of hard months but he came through it and was as fit as I can remember for a long time, walking a better distance than before, enjoying nights out without getting too tired, staying up later and most of all seeing his grand kids grow.
'Because of this I was inspired to try and give a little back. In 2010, I achieved a couple of runs, finishing the London marathon, the Portsmouth Marathon and the Edinburgh Marathon. Along with a Comedy and Curry Night I managed to raise around £10,000, giving it mainly to the British Heart Foundation and also buying the nurses at Papworth some bits for their staff room.
Mickleover Sports will be presented with a defibrillator at this evening's match.
Tickets are available on the gate priced at £6 adults and £3 concessions with children granted free entry to the match; with half of the gate receipts being donated to the British Heart Foundation.