A football match to celebrate the lives of two best friends who tragically died after a crash near Sudbury will take place next year.
Kye Mclean and Zac Smith, both 18, were killed following a road accident on the B115 Great Waldingfield Road, near Chilton Airfield, on August 9.
The two young men, who were travelling in a silver Vauxhall Corsa, were treated by paramedics, but both sadly died at the scene.
The friends were keen footballers and Zac, from Great Cornard, played for both AFC Sudbury and Cornard United, while Kye, from Polstead, was involved with Fellowship Football – a Christian league.
The match, between Kye’s Fellowship Football team and family and friends, will take place at AFC Sudbury on January 13.
Money raised from the game will go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, who grant the wishes of seriously ill children, as well as Fellowship Football.
Carol Morris, Kye’s nana, who is helping to organise the match, said she does not want it to be a dour affair.
She said: “We didn’t want to call it a memorial or anything like that, we want the game to be a celebration of their lives.
“Kye would have turned 19 on January 11, and so we are calling it a charity celebration. The pair of them were so loved that we wanted to do something like this.”
A raffle and auction will also take place at the event in January, with a host of prizes available.
A charity game for the pair also took place in October at AFC Sudbury, with money raised for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Suffolk Accident and Rescue Service.
In a statement following the crash, Kye’s family said: “Kye was loved by everyone who knew him, not only by his family but by so many friends too.
“He would do anything to make people happy and his smile always lit up the room.
“As well as his family and friends, Kye loved his motorbike, football, tracksuits and roses.”
Zac’s family said: “Paul, Kelly, Ben and Alice are devastated at the loss of their beloved son and brother.
“Zac was never without a smile or a kind word for anyone who came his way.
“He was never far from those he loved, Zac has grown into an extraordinarily kind and handsome young man.
“He was the biggest giver of hugs and kisses, a mechanic, a sportsman, a son, a brother – a someone to everyone.
“He was the finder of fun and caretaker of everyone. ‘Zac-man’ you will be kept safe in our hearts always and forever.”
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