Hundreds of well-wishers supported a special memorial football day for tragic youngster Kai Lambe, who drowned in Tutbury Weir three years ago.

Friends, family and kind-hearted strangers flocked to Hatton Sports and Social Club on Saturday, August 19 to pay their respects to football-mad Kai, who was just nine when he died, and remember his "orange hair and cheeky grin."

The Heath Fields Primary School pupil's devastated mum Dawn Dolman continues to celebrate his life with the annual event, in a way that Kai would have loved best - with football.

A memorial football match was held in the honour of Kai Lambe who drowned at the age of 9.
Pictured is mum Dawn Dolman with a painting of Kai.
Kai's mum Dawn is pictured with a painting of Kai

Dawn, 50, who is also mum to Tom, 21 and Ellie-May, 23, said she was pleased to see so many faces enjoying the day in Kai’s honour.

The activities co-ordinator, who works at a nursing home, said: "It was a really nice day with the community coming together to remember Kai’s short and happy life.

"Walking into the room and seeing all of the pictures of him was incredible. It was a really emotional day as it was marking three years since we lost him.

"His school friends came along and every year we use the balls from each match and give them away to his friends. There were friends, family and villagers there telling stories about how mischievous he was.

Kai Lambe, who died in August 2014 after getting into difficulty in Tutbury Weir

"I sometime think that if it had been any other child they may not have been so popular but he was so vibrant and people of all ages knew and loved him.

"He had a cheekiness about him and was always grinning from ear to ear, he was there for anybody."

Kai was a keen supporter of Manchester United and Derby County and played for Hatton United under 9s. His brother Tom donned the number 10 shirt, which was Kai's number, as homage to his little brother, while his love of camouflage inspired the kit choices for the memorial match.

A memorial football match was held in the honour of Kai Lambe who drowned at the age of 9.
Pictured is Charlie Gale, 16, and Dawn Dolman.
Charlie went out to look for Kai on the day of the incident.
Kai's mum Dawn is pictured at the event with Charlie Gale, who went out to look for Kai on the day of the incident

Dawn said: "Kai often insisted 'I am not ginger mum, I am orange'. He also loved fishing and was buried in camouflage gear. He absolutely loved Duck Dynasty and all of that, so some of the players wore orange to represent Kai's hair and others wore green to pay homage to Kai's love of camouflage."

Dawn said the club where the event was held was "a big part of Kai’s life".

She said: "I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped make the effort to come along, make cakes, do the tombola, it means so much.

A memorial football match was held in the honour of Kai Lambe who drowned at the age of 9.
The players donned green and orange kits in homage to Kai's ginger hair and love of Duck Dynasty

"We still receive so much support from the community and neighbours are always telling me they miss seeing his orange hair bobbing up and down on the front lawn.

"Kai stood out and he was a very big part of the community. Hatton is a lovely community to live in and the people have been incredible in helping to keep the family going. He is and always will be very much in people's thoughts.

"His death had a massive impact on so many people, even those who did not know him very well. He was a beautiful child with his whole life ahead of him and I am so grateful to all of those who have been there for the last three years and are still there now."

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