A PAIR of Carlisle brothers have taken their father's ashes to the summit of Blencathra as they raise money for a local grassroots football club.

On Sunday, September 8, Lewis and Matthew Tate alongside friends, family, and team mates from Warwick Wanderers Football Club climbed Blencathra to raise money for a new kit for the team which is based at Warwick Bridge's Downagate.

The walk, which has to date raised £280 via JustGiving, also saw Lewis and Michael bring some of their father Darren's ashes with them to scatter at the top of the mountain almost a year after his sad and sudden passing in September 2023.

After the walk, the pair's mum Joanna Tate explained why she and her sons wanted to take Darren's ashes to the summit of Blencathra.

She said: "A year ago, Lewis and Matthew’s dad, Darren, passed away suddenly, following a heart attack. He had his first heart attack on Blencathra, 12 years ago, and always wanted to get back up there but never quite managed it.

"On Sunday, the boys took some of his ashes up to the top of the mountain, which will be his final resting place.

"The rest of his ashes are in the garden at Brunton Park."

The fundraiser in aid of the local grassroots football club was inspired by their support for the family after Darren's sudden passing and Joanna discussed how keen her family was to repay that support.

She said: "The support from both Lewis’s football coaches and his teammates has been incredible over the last year: from the minute's silence at his first game back, and the gentle pat on the shoulder from his team, to the coach spending hours on the phone sharing memories of his dad.

"We wanted to show our gratitude by helping to raise funds for a new kit in honour of Darren and to recognise how much the team has helped us to get through the last year.

"Football is so much more than just a sport."

The pair are both students at Brampton's William Howard School, with Joanna also keen to thank its staff for their support in the time following the death of her husband and the pair's father. 

She said: "Support from the teachers at William Howard has also been amazing.

"Particularly Mrs Braithwaite, who has gone above and beyond to look out for Lewis during last year."