Community unites to honour Henry Nowak as memorial match raises £25,000 for 2wish charity
By Sylvia Merrigan 15th Jul 2026
THE long-awaited Henry Nowak Memorial Match took place at Aveley FC's Parkside ground on Saturday (11 July), and was declared a resounding success.
All proceeds from the event will go to the bereavement charity 2wish, which has supported Henry's family since they received the devastating news of his sudden and unexpected death and throughout the darkest days of their loss.
More than just a football match, the event became a powerful celebration of Henry's life.
Thousands of supporters came together at Parkside to remember a much-loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, raising vital funds for 2wish while creating a day filled with laughter, tears and unforgettable memories. It was a testament to the extraordinary impact Henry had on those around him and to the strength of a community determined that his legacy should live on.
The memorial match celebrated Henry's life while showing unwavering support for his family and friends. Football was one of Henry's greatest passions, making the event a fitting tribute and an opportunity to bring together those who knew him, alongside many others who had been deeply moved by the tragic death of the popular local 18-year-old.
Henry's story of a young man thriving during his first year at university before his life was cruelly cut short just weeks before Christmas 2025 touched people across the country, particularly following the recent trial and the distressing details that emerged. His untimely death has left what his loved ones describe as a "Henry-shaped hole" in the lives of his devoted family and friends.
Close family friend and Henry's godmother, Kelly Hatchard, organised the event alongside family friend Kim Norris. Kelly said that witnessing her best friend, Lucy, and "one of the kindest families I have ever known, have their entire world torn apart" strengthened her determination to help.
"I wanted to bring the community together to show the family the love that everyone has for them and to put a smile back on their faces," she said.
After speaking to Lynn and Craig Johnson at Aveley FC, the club immediately agreed to host and staff the event free of charge. Kelly and Kim then threw themselves into organising the day, using their contacts and social media to secure sponsors, raffle prizes and volunteers. As news of the event spread, support from the local community grew rapidly.
Kim said: "Local businesses have stepped forward with sponsorship and donations. People have given up their time without hesitation. Friends, families, volunteers and complete strangers have all played their part. The wonderful Kevin Cooper, founder of Sellebrity Soccer, also came on board, donating his entire fee to 2wish.
"Every act of kindness, every message, every donation and every offer of help has reminded us that compassion is still at the heart of our community and has helped restore our faith in humanity."
Kelly added: "We will be eternally grateful to everyone involved."
Among the official shirt sponsors was The Avenue Estate Agents. Proprietor Alice Cocks said: "As local business owners from the same community as Henry, this one is close to our hearts. We live in the same community, know the same families and share the same sense of loss. Henry should still be here. Nothing will ever change that, and no day can make it right."
She added that sponsoring the shirts "feels like the very least we can do".
Photographs of Henry were displayed on a screen in the clubhouse, while marquee letters spelling his name formed a poignant centrepiece.
The day began with a family and friends match between Henry's Hammers (the Dads) and the Nowak Gunners (the Lads). Despite a spirited effort from the younger side, Henry's Hammers proved worthy winners.
Kelly said: "We hope Henry was looking down on us. He would have been laughing at his mates being beaten by the Dads."
The entertainment continued with performances from Britain's Got Talent performers Revelation Avenue alongside Grace Sheldrick, before an Elvis tribute act delighted the crowd.
Sellebrity Soccer then took centre stage.
Former EastEnders actor Ricky Groves welcomed the crowd before Lucy Ross delivered a moving speech, thanking Aveley Football Club, the sponsors, volunteers, Sellebrity Soccer, 2wish, raffle prize donors, stall holders, programme sponsors and everyone who had helped make the day possible.
She paid particular tribute to Kelly Hatchard and Kim Norris for their unwavering support throughout the planning process and for the countless hours they devoted to organising the event.
Lucy poignantly recalled receiving the dreaded knock on the door on 5 December last year, when her world was "torn apart into a million pieces".
She described the overwhelming support her family has received over the past eight months as something they will always treasure and said seeing everyone "laughing, smiling and crying to remember Henry" meant the world to her.
Speaking from the bottom of her "broken heart", Lucy thanked everyone for continuing to support her family as they try to move forward without their beloved Henry.
She apologised to Henry's siblings for the loss of their cherished brother but reassured them that he would always be looking down on them with a smile. She also paid tribute to her partner, David Stevenson, for being her rock and thanked everyone for creating memories that will help sustain the family through their darkest days.
Before the celebrity match kicked off, the players invited everyone to join them in a minute's applause in Henry's memory.
The match itself was played in a wonderful spirit, with Ricky Groves entertaining and encouraging the crowd throughout.
After the match, Kevin Cooper, co-founder of Sellebrity Soccer, spoke of the emotion of the day, the immense challenges Henry's family had faced and the importance of keeping Henry's memory alive.
Reflecting on the day, Lucy said she knew her little boy had been shining down on everyone and would have had "a big smile on his face".
Actress Shona McGarty was visibly moved as she praised Lucy, while Dan Osborne presented a cheque for £2,000 to 2wish on behalf of himself and his brother. Calum Best thanked everyone for attending and asked whether the memorial match should return next year — a suggestion warmly welcomed by the crowd.
As the raffle winners collected their prizes, the event drew to a close, having raised vital funds for 2wish. The latest fundraising total in Henry's name now stands at approximately £260,000.00 enabling the charity to continue providing essential support to families who suddenly lose a loved one aged 25 or under.
2wish provides immediate and ongoing support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young adult. The charity offers practical guidance, professional bereavement support and counselling, helping families navigate the unimaginable in the days, months and years that follow their loss. Following Henry's death, 2wish has been a constant source of support for his family, making the charity a cause that holds a very special place in the hearts of everyone involved in the Henry Nowak Memorial events.
It was a fitting day to remember Henry, whom his family and friends have described as "the most amazing, loving, funny and kind-hearted soul. We are so proud of all he achieved and the beautiful way he lived his life."
As Kim so beautifully expressed: "Henry's legacy will not be defined by how he left this world, but by the love, kindness and unity that continue to grow in his name. Love and kindness will always win."
For Henry's family, the day was about far more than football. It was about seeing a community unite in love, ensuring that Henry's name continues to inspire kindness, compassion and hope. Every pound raised will help 2wish continue supporting families facing the unimaginable, meaning Henry's legacy will continue to make a difference to countless lives for many years to come.
Pictures provided by David Norman from Moments of Memory and Deborah Eastham of Deborah Eastham Photography:
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