21st birthday memorial for tragedy boy

MATTHEW DALTON

THE family of a Failsworth schoolboy who died suddenly from a brain tumour are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for charity as they prepare to celebrate what would have been his 21st birthday.

Matthew Dalton was just 10 years old when he passed away in 2005.

The former Mather Street Primary School pupil began having headaches and was admitted to hospital several times.

it wasn't until he suffered a cardiac arrest and ended up on life support that his tumour was finally diagnosed. By then, tragically, it was too late.

His aunt Jaclyn Thomas (38) described Matthew as a "very popular boy, who is missed beyond words by everyone who knew him".

She said he was a keen footballer and had been involved with Failsworth Dynamos Football Club from an early age.

Matthew's mum Joanne Dalton, Jaclyn and friends took part in the Great Manchester Run 10k in aid of Reuben's Retreat.

Following his death, the club organised yearly football tournaments in his memory, with his family and friends releasing thousands of balloons at the end of the events as a tribute to him.

Jaclyn said some of the balloons ended up travelling across seas to Europe, with one reportedly finding its way to Australia.

She said: "It's been a few years since we released balloons for Matthew but have been spending time raising money for the wonderful charity Reuben's Retreat which is based in Ashton.

"It was set up in memory of Reuben Michael Graham who tragically passed away aged 23 months from the same condition as Matthew.

"It's a cause that is very close to our hearts and earlier this year we had a team, which included Matthew's incredible mum Joanne, run the Great Manchester 10k raising over £1,200 for Reuben's Retreat.

"This year would have marked Matthew's 21st birthday, to mark and celebrate this significant milestone we are holding a community event in Failsworth which we hope will be a day full of fun, love and laughter for our friends, family and the wider community to get involved in."

The event will take place at The Lancaster Club, on Broadway in Failsworth , on Sunday, from 11am till 3pm, and will have children's rides, bouncy castles, stalls, music, food, singing, Zumba, football, tombolas, raffle and an auction.