Inspirational Liam Shepherd remembered in tribute match at his former football club

By Jill Dando News

Liam Shepherd who died aged 11 was remembered in a match involving his former football club.

The match at Banwell, Somerset was not only a celebration of the beautiful game but a testament to the power of unity, love, and remembrance and a number of tributes for Shepherd were made to the popular youngster throughout the day.

Most notably the home dugout at the Riverside was named The Liam Shepherd Dugout and opened by his mother Kimberley. 

The inspirational pupil was part of Ashcombe Primary School, Banwell’s youth team and Weston Academy in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, before he unexpectedly died in his sleep, aged 11, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

He was due to start at Priory Community School Academy part of The Priory Learning Trust in September 2021.

Liam touched the lives of so many people with this charity fundraising, kindness and support for others. Last year he received a prestigious Somerset Anne Frank Youth Award for helping to make a more positive, kind and inclusive society.

The incredible boy had done lots of charity work, raising money for sports clubs and his school. He ran a marathon in a week for the NSPCC. 

He had also made cakes and donated to the NHS, Police, his care home and his teachers. 

Liam had also donated food out of his pocket money for a vulnerable family at his school and he was currently holding a raffle and gathering prizes to raise money for Winston’s Wish before he died.

Members of the Liam Shepherd Foundation are now supporting Priory Community School Academy (PCSA) to fundraise towards their charity of the year Weston Foodbank. 

Liam’s Mum wants to ensure that his memory lives on in the Foodbank and in the memories of fellow students.  The charity holds three events a year 

A member of the Liam Shepherd Foundation said: “Liam was was kind and caring and went above and beyond to help others.  He had the kindest soul’.

The Foundation will use funds raised from their quiz night to make a large donation to Foodbank through the PCSA in a kind gesture towards the school’s charity of the year.

“The Foodbank is our Charity of the Year this year and I know that every single donation means a lot to them, now more than ever!” commented Mrs Caulfield, PCSA