FOOTBALL fans have responded to a Chester couple’s heartfelt plea for help, following the death of the bridegroom’s mother.
A collection from the 3,000 strong crowd at Saturday’s home game between Chester FC and Whitby Town raised more than £200 to help Frazer and Victoria Mataitonga repatriate Frazer’s mother’s body to her native Tonga.
Frazer’s mum Agnes was taken ill on Saturday, March 24, on her way to her son’s wedding at St Mary’s Church in Handbridge. She died two days later on March 26.
The newly-weds, of Westminster Park, appealed for help with repatriation and funeral costs in last week’s Chronicle as the family had no travel insurance.
Victoria said: “We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Chester FC fans, who have kindly donated £202 for the Appeal for Agnes. And a very big thanks to everyone who has passed on their condolences and who have remembered Agnes in their thoughts and prayers.”
Chief executive of Chester FC Pat Cluskey said: “The opportunity arose at the last minute for us to do something and we would like to thank our fans for their help towards raising the £20,000 the family needs.”
Victoria and Frazer still have no confirmation of a date when they can fly Agnes’s body home.
Victoria said: “We are still very much at the planning stages but there is a slim chance that it could be by the end of next week.”
The couple thanked the following for their help: Norman Jones of Saughall, St Mary's Church (Handbridge), Michelle Anthony (Meacher Jones Chartered Accountants), Cheshire Regiment Association, Rev C H Smith of Tarvin, Dee 106.3, G & M Goold and J C Clarke funeral directors, Emirates Airline and Emirates Sky Cargo, Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe, friends, family and neighbours.
To donate, click on the PayPal link to this story on www.chesterchronicle.co.uk or email mataitonga@hotmail.co.uk for details.
