THE Corey Cup – an inter-Garnock Valley primary schools football tournament in memory of Corey Hamilton – took place on a beautiful sunny day at Beith Astro last week.

The tournament is named after Corey Hamilton from Beith who sadly passed away in July 2013 aged nine from a rare form of childhood cancer and is played on his birthday.

The day started with a minute’s applause in memory of Corey whose 10th birthday it would have been.

Teams from Beith, Gateside, Glengarnock, St Bridget’s, Moorpark, St Palladius and Dalry Primary Schools were represented in what was an exciting and hotly-contested day of passionate soccer.

Dalry Primary School took the trophy, beating St Bridget’s. Beith Primary A won the runners up section.

Jennifer King from Moorpark Primary got the Hammy Award for sportsmanship and fantastic effort.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: “We’d like to thank Beith Community Development Trust for facilitating the event, the CSLA students, Beith Astro for the use of the pitch, RT Cycles, Glengarnock for sponsoring the Hammy Award, Beith Co-op for supplying refreshments and snacks for all the players.

“Especially Beith Juniors for supplying players and coaches and the use of their pitch for the final.

“Also to Dalry Thistle and KCFC for their players, North Ayrshire Council for help in organising the event, and Garnock Academy for supplying additional CSLA students to help with the organisation.

Julie McCarney read out a statement about the Corey Fund. She said: “The community of Beith and the Garnock Valley raised nearly £35,000 over three months in an effort to raise money for treatment for Corey in the Spring of 2013.

“It was a massive community effort and everyone who took part should feel very proud of themselves, Corey’s parents Angela and Stephen will always be grateful for the support everyone showed at that time, it has helped them through the difficult times.

“Angela and Stephen want the fund to be used to remember Corey as the cheeky fun loving nine-year-old boy he was and right now are working closely with the main fundraisers to develop ideas that celebrate his life.

“They are keen to make sure that the fund brings joy and delight to the Garnock Valley, so that when people think of Corey they do so with a smile on their face.

“They also want to make sure that a significant portion of the money is used to help families in the Garnock Valley who are dealing with the challenges of childhood illnesses, as they know from first hand experience of how traumatic it can be.

“A portion of the £35,000 raised to date will spent on children throughout the Garnock Valley for them to have fun.

“Some of the money will be held back should any child within the Garnock Valley need to be sent abroad for any medical treatment meaning there would be no delay.