Memorial football match to raise funds for charity
A charity football match will take to the pitch in memory of Shaun Dargan and baby Brandon Shaun Mitten

Memorial football match to raise funds for charity

A FOOTBALL match is being held to raise awareness and funds around sudden unexplained death in children, following the passing of baby Brandon Shaun Mitten.

Brandon Shaun, who was only 15-months when he died in April of this year, was named in memory of his dad Ciaran Mitten’s late friend Shaun Dargan.

This Saturday, Tallaght City is set to face Kilnamanagh AFC in a charity match that will also raise funds for suicide prevention centre HOPE in memory of former player Shaun, who passed away in December 2020.

Tymonville man Shaun played football with Kilnamanagh before linking up with Tallaght City when his friends started play there about nine-years-ago.

The two clubs will play each other at Ned Kelly Park on Saturday, June 23, in memory of the late Brandon Mitten and Shaun Dargan, who would have been celebrating his 32nd birthday.

“Brandon passed away on April 16,” Ciaran Mitten, Brandon’s father, who was good friends with Shaun, told The Echo.

“He had taken his first steps that night, he went to bed fine and just never woke up.

“It was diagnosed as sudden unexplained death in children (SUDC).

“Brandon’s name is Brandon Shaun after Shaun.

“Brandon will be one of the first that they’re going to do genetic testing on to find out why this is happening, because it’s happening.

“They mainly do research around SUDC in America and a bit in the UK, but not really in Ireland.

“We’re raising money for the SUDC foundation to help with the research, so we can find out if there is something genetically that causes this and try prevent it.

“We will also be raising money for HOPE and the emergency services.”

The family fun day will include a mega-raffle with prizes being added every day in the lead up the day, along with bouncy castles, music and promises to include lots more.

Ned Kelly Park will host the event, with the football match scheduled to kick-off at 2pm.

All proceeds raised on the day will be donated to HOPE, suicide prevention centre, SUDC UK, and the emergency services.

If you have been affected by this story and need support, please contact HOPE Suicide Prevention Drop-In Centre Tallaght Facebook page or call 087 136 3082 and Samaritans 116 12316 123.

Pieta House Dublin South in Tallaght call 01 462 4792, for Pieta House Ballyfermot call 01 623 5606 and for Pieta House Lucan call 01 601 0000 or visit the charity’s website.

For Barnardos’ Children’s Bereavement Helpline contact 01 473 2110, which is active 10am to 12pm Monday to Thursday.

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