The Sam Bencheikh Memorial Fund was set up to help continue the excellent work Sam was involved in - particularly in promoting football to people with disabilities. Sam believed that anyone, whatever their circumstances, should be able to enjoy and participate in the sport they love.
A registered charity, the Fund will support the Tranmere Rovers Football in the Community team and help them to continue and develop the coaching activities set up by Sam.
Click here to learn more about Football in the Community, the superb work Sam was involved in and click here for more information about the Sam Bencheikh Memorial Cup Tournament.
Any donations will be very gratefully received... don’t forget if you are a UK taxpayer you can Gift Aid your donations - please contact us for details of how you can donate and help us to continue the work which was so important to Sam.
Fund Update
The Sam Bencheikh Memorial Festivals have been organised throughout the year and have proved to be a great success with children with a variety of disabilities having the opportunity to participate. Pupils from Gilbrook Special School, Hayfield Special School, Lindale Special School, Orrets Meadow Special School, Meadowside Special School and Foxfield Special School have all attended the festivals and have taken part in coaching sessions and five-a-side competitions. Every boy and girl taking part received a special certificate and commemorative medal to help remind them of their fantastic day of football fun held in memory of Sam who did so much to promote football for children with disabilities.
Through the fund we have been able to purchase some specially designed mini footballs which will be used as prizes and giveaways for children who would benefit from such an item. Sam’s name has been printed on the ball alongside the Tranmere Rovers/Football in the Community logos.
We continue to work with Wirral’s Special Schools with Dave Purcell continuing the excellent work set up by Sam. Dave went to the same college as Sam and was a good friend and feels privilaged and proud to help continue giving children the opprtunity to learn and play the beautiful game.
Friday 1st July 2005 was certainly a day to remember for over one hundred local children who took part in a sporting extravaganza at the Oval Sports Centre in Bebington. The popular annual sports adventure day organized by disability sports officer Dawn Tolcher was being held in the main athletic arena and it was decided that a new event should be added in the form of the Sam Bencheikh Memorial Festival. Throughout the day the children from various local Special Schools were given the opportunity to try numerous sports in the arena before attending the football event being held on the back field. The Community coaches were on hand to coach various skills before organizing competitions were the boys and girls could win the different prizes on offer. Each session was completed with a game of football before the children were presented with a special Sam Bencheikh Memorial certificate or medal for their endeavors. the day was a major success and will definitely be repeated every year. Pupils from West Kirby Residential School, Portland School, Hayfield Special School, Gillbrook Special School, Overchurch School, Claremount Special School, Hilbre High School, Meadowside Special School and Foxfield Special School took part in the event which was held in superb weather conditions which only added to the day. I would like to thank the Tranmere Community team for the hard work and patience through the day and Dawn Tolcher who’s help has been invaluable throughout the last twelve months in helping establish so many successful festivals in memory of Sam.
Finally I would like to thank everyone who has donated money to the memorial fund which has enabled us to run a programme of events for adults and children with a variety of disabilities. Sam loved this part of the job and and would be excited to see the smiles on the childrens faces as they take part in the sessions before receiving medals and certificates purchased through the fund.
Once again a big thanks to everyone concerned .
Steve Williams, Community Development Officer.
