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LEEDS UNITED: Flying start to fund in memory of murdered Leeds fans
A BID to raise £100,000 in memory of murdered Leeds United fans Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight is off to a flying start.
The pair's loved ones launched the charity drive earlier this month to help mark the forthcoming 10th anniversary of their deaths in Turkey.
And supporters across the UK have wasted no time in getting behind the appeal, the proceeds of which will go to Leeds-based children's cancer group Candlelighters.
Fundraising events organised to date include:
* A greyhound racing night at Sheffield's Owlerton Stadium on September 11;
* A canal bike ride between Leeds and Skipton on October 31;
* A sportsman's dinner and poker contest at Leeds's Alea Casino on November 15;
* A six-mile endurance challenge at a farm in Staffordshire on January 31;
* A junior football tournament at the Soccer City complex near United's Elland Road ground on March 13.
Remembrance T-shirts have also been produced in the hope they will be sold on matchdays in the car park of Elland Road's Old Peacock pub.
Mr Loftus's brother, Phil, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "We're delighted with the response we've had so far.
"Now we're looking to build up even more momentum – every bit of support is much appreciated.
"(The appeal] website has got hits running into tens of thousands, so that's encouraging as well."
Mr Loftus, a 35-year-old fibre optics engineer, came from Burmantofts in Leeds.
Father-of-two Mr Speight was a 40-year-old pub landlord from Farsley.
They were stabbed in Istanbul in April 2000 on the eve of a Uefa Cup semi-final tie between United and local side Galatasaray.
* Appeal cheques can be sent to 48 Leeds Road, Kippax, LS25 7HQ, payable to Leeds Fans Remembrance.
Online donations can now also be made via the www.leedsfansremembrance.com website.
More information on the fundraising events programme is available from the website.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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