THE FAMILY behind the annual Craig Hopkins Memorial Cup presented their final donation to Penarth’s Marie Curie Hospice last week.

The annual football tournament, held in memory of Penarth teenager Craig after he died in 2004, raised more than £38,500 for various local charities over the ten years that it was held.

Craig’s parents, Andrea and Gerald, along with his friends Scott Muir and Kevin Clarke, presented the £3,450 cheque to the Marie Curie Hospice last Thursday, August 22.

Andrea Hopkins, who set up the annual football tournament that was held every year at the Old Penarthians, said that it was a tough decision to bring an end to the football tournament this year.

"It was a big decision, but it was the right one at the right time,” she said.

"We would like to thank everyone that entered and contributed over the years.

"We are very proud of him as parents and think it was a fitting tribute to him."

Craig’s friend Scott Muir and Kevin Clarke helped organise the tournament every year.

"Organising it got easier every year as everyone wanted to be involved in it,” said Scott.

“It was so popular people would book their holidays around it."

He added: "Without the people of Penarth it wouldn't have been so successful."

Gerald Hopkins, Craig's dad, thanked everyone for attending the event every year: "It was the same people that came every year,” he said

"Many would come from London and would stay the whole weekend.

"All the teams would pay more than they needed to pay in too."

He added that the family were delighted to raise a total of £38,500 for charity over the years: "To raise that amount of money in Craig's name was brilliant,” he said.

Helen Mulhern, who accepted the cheque on behalf of the Marie Curie Hospice, thanked the family for the donation, which was the fourth time the hospice has benefited from the Craig Hopkins Memorial Cup.

"It will make a huge difference as it costs £10,000 a day to run the hospice here, so this money is a huge contributor to that,” she said.

"We are very grateful to receive it for four years out of the ten as it shows how many people support us locally."