THE owner of a Stalybridge amateur boxing club has organised a fundraiser to support the family of two young brothers who died in a tragic car crash.
Tobias Rice, aged eight, and his five-year-old brother Finley were killed after the car they were travelling in was involved in a multi-vehicle collision on the A30 near Connor Downs on May 28.
The brothers had been on their way to St Ives when the crash happened. Tobias died at the scene, while Finley was taken to Bristol Children’s Hospital where he died on June 2.
Their mother survived the collision with life-changing injuries, while their grandma was also taken to intensive care.
Steve Tallo-Brady, owner of Tameside Elite Boxing Academy, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family from Dorset, which has already raised more than £1,000.
The boxing club is also holding a fundraising event on Saturday, July 11, inviting boxers of all ages and abilities to take part in a Super-Skill-Tech Sparring Day.
The event, held at the club’s Phoenix/Elite House base on Tame Street, will begin at 12pm and will see participants compete for a belt awarded for the best technical spar of the day, in honour of Tobias and Finley.
Those taking part are encouraged to donate, with all proceeds going towards supporting the boys’ grieving family.
Steve was inspired to help after hearing about the crash from his friend Tony Campion, who witnessed the aftermath of the collision.
“One of my good friends, Tony Campion, and his wife Barbara were close to the crash and had just changed lanes from left to right on the A30,” Steve told the Tameside Correspondent.
“A vehicle a good distance behind came at a speed and hit the car carrying the grandma, mum and the two poor little lads.
“Tony helped at the scene, alongside a doctor and a nurse who had stopped in the same traffic. When he returned home a week later, he rang me, still massively in shock, to ask if I could help in a fundraiser in any way I could as he wanted to help the poor family.
“I never gave it a second thought and we want to raise as much money as possible. I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it must feel for their poor mum and grandma who have survived the crash but won’t see Tobias and Finley ever again.
“We want to raise as much money as possible. You don’t have to know someone to care. Remember, it could easily be one of us or our families.”
Steve said he hopes the fundraising efforts will provide some support to the family as they deal with their loss.
Anyone wanting more information about the Super-Skill-Tech Sparring Day can contact Steve by emailing tamesideelite007@gmail.com or calling 07790 655 496.