The Mandip Mudhar Memorial Foundation
Mandip Mudhar Memorial Tournament
Mandip Mudhar Memorial Foundation
The charity organises various fundraising events including a football tournament every
year to raise money for local charities, bringing diverse communities together to break down cultural barriers and to encourage access to careers in sport for disadvantaged groups through partnerships with local colleges and sporting associations, and to raise awareness and importance of organ donation within ethnic minority groups.
Positivity out of tragedy
The History
The Mandip Mudhar Memorial Tournament is held every year in memory of Mandip Mudhar who passed away after a road traffic accident on 1st January 2001. Mandip was a rear seat passenger and died 6 days after the accident in the Royal Free Hospital London where he was treated for severe head injuries. He was 20 years old and a first year student at Kingston University.
The tournament aims to raise money for local charities who do not get the exposure of the more recognised charities and who struggle to raise money themselves. It also aims to raise awareness and importance of organ donation. Upon hearing Mandip would not recover consciousness his parents decided to donate Mandip’s heart and two kidneys’. His heart was given to a middle aged man and his two kidneys to a young mother and a girl of 14 whom previously were reliant on dialysis. All recipients are still doing well. The NHS organisation UK Transplant actively supports the aims of the tournament in highlighting healthy living and the importance of organ donation.
Past Events
In 2001 a memorial match between my Mandip’s friends and that of his brothers was held as a big thank you to all those who kept a week long vigil at the Royal Free Hospital. The money raised was donated to the ITU Unit at The Royal Free Hospital who had provided 24-hour care to Mandip. The success of the match and media/community interest led to tournament format in 2002 which attracted 16 teams from all over the country again raising a large amount of money which was given to Keech Cottage. In 2003 the tournament format increased to 26 teams from London, the midlands, the north and Luton and was more of an event. Further growth as a yearly event was achieved in 2004 with 32 teams and then again with 40 teams in 2005. In 2005 we were able to donate £1200 to the charity “Friends of Bright Eyes” which lprovides care of disabled children (www.friendsofbrighteyes.co.uk). The tournament increased its intake in teams in 2006 with 42 taking part and the growth and quality of teams has increased every year
Community involvement
Supporters/sponsors of the MMMT have been both vast and varied encompassing many social groups and organisations such as: BBC 3 Counties Radio, Luton Council of Faiths, Bedfordshire FA, Vauxhall Recreation Club, Co-op Funeral Services, The FA’s ‘Kick Racism out of Football’ campaign, UK Transplant, Alankar Indian Restaurant, Sandersons Retail, KS Construction and West Ham Utd FC to name a few.
