School friends celebrate raising money for Newark's Beaumond House

A group of school friends who had limited contact with each other have re-kindled their friendships and raised money for a Newark-based charity.

As the nation united to cheer England on during the 2018 World Cup, Paul Breslin, of Newark, and 14 of his friends from school decided to meet up once a week, roll back the years, and play indoor football.

Paul, 35, said he and the rest of his friends ­— former Magnus and Grove school students ­— slowly drifted apart as they got older.

“Life got in the way,” he said.

“Some of us had to move away for work or we were too busy with work and our families to organise things.

“We would speak in a WhatsApp group, but it was not the same.”

After a suggestion in the group chat, Paul said his group started playing football and meeting regularly six months ago.

“Seeing everyone and having a bit of banter like we used too has been really good.

“We play five-a-side football on Thursday nights and then go to Oscars Inn for a few drinks afterwards.

“It has done us so much good, and I believe it has been very important for our mental well-being.

“I just want to stress how important the social aspect of it has been.”

The group over-paid each week as they saved for an end of year get together, and having raised £200, they decided to split the money and donate half of it to Beaumond House Community Hospice.

“We originally just paid with a £5 note as it was easier than carrying change, and it carried on from there,” said Paul.

“It’s for a good local charity.

“They [Beaumond House] benefit a lot of people and it is really important to help when you can.”

“We are all local lads and we thought it was a fitting place, somewhere where you can see the difference the money makes, unlike some of the bigger charities.

“We know they need the money and we all just decided on donating.

Paul said a lot of his friendship group have family members who have benefited from the help of Beaumond House, which provides care to patients terminal or life limiting illnesses.