The Foundation was delighted to make a £5,000 donation to the Matthew22 Fund.
Following the passing of their son, Matthew Ben Hollingworth, aged just 22 in February 2022, parents Carolyn and Gary set up a special fund which raised over £25,000 for the Bone Cancer Research Trust. In the summer of 2023, the Matthew22 Fund gained registered charity status, which made it possible to issue grants to other charities which care for children suffering from life threatening illnesses with a focus on the support of patient and family care.
Currently they are supporting:
They also support local community projects and groups, including, Garforth Brass, Brigshaw High School DofE, Unibrass organisations which were close to Matthew’s heart. The charity also gives them the platform to help and support others, such as, local businesses, individuals, sports teams and amateur darts players. In their first full year as a charity, they have raised £18,000.
The charity was set up as a legacy to Matthew, who, during his two and a half years of treatment remained positive, determined and never gave up hope that he would recover from this terrible illness. Carolyn and Gary had always planned to raise funds together as a family once Matthew’s health improved, but sadly we never got the chance to do this.
The Hollingworth family has been long-time supporters of PDC darts, attending live events. Recently, Gary had the opportunity to play on the Winter Gardens stage, facing World Champion Luke Littler and meeting Peter Wright. This featured on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show was greatly increased awareness of the Matthew22 Fund.
Gary Hollingworth, Founder of the Matthew22 Fund said
“As a family we have attended the PDC darts on several occasions for many years, and we love watching live events. I personally enjoy playing, but to actually get the chance to play on the iconic Winter Gardens stage was surreal, and to play the World Champion in Luke “The Nuke” Littler as a dream came true, especially after meeting Peter “Snakebite” Wright, a darting legend, earlier, in the day.
Michael McIntyre and the Big Show have really lifted the status of The Matthew22 Fund, and provided us with a fantastic opportunity, one we are going to grasp with both hands and keep the charity and Matthew’s legacy going and provide much needed support along the way.
The donation by the Matchroom Charitable Foundation will be put towards our grants for our charitable partners and local community projects.”
In 2025 they have some exciting events including:
The family are determined to keep Matthew’s legacy going and along the way help others as best we can.
“Forward Through Adversity”
If anybody would like to support the charity, or take part in any of their forthcoming events, please visit their website www.matthew22.org.uk, follow us on Facebook or email us at info@matthew22.org.uk for further information.