When an alternative World Cup tournament inspired Dexter McMenamin to act, he netted himself a Lundie Memorial Award in the process.
While all eyes are currently on the Men’s World Cup tournament, another national team from England has qualified for the World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF) World Cup 2026, which will take place in November in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. One member of that team, Charlie, has inspired Dexter to an award-winning feat of fundraising.
Dexter, aged eight, who is also a keen footballer, heard about Charlie, a young man who had lost a leg to cancer but found fresh opportunities with the England Amputee Football Association’s junior programme. Last year, he was called up to play in the England men’s national amputee football team.
When Dexter learned that the team receives no central funding and that Charlie and all the other players must self-fund their travel, he created and shared a fundraising presentation with Charlie’s family, set up a fundraising page, and began raising money with impressive focus and determination. He organised a Christmas jumper day with his own football team, hosted a charity match (with Charlie, his dad and uncle all taking part), wrote to famous footballers, and involved local schools.
It wasn’t long before he had raised over £1,500 – an achievement that Hilary Miles, a church Elder at Christ Church URC, Petts Wood, said showed “extraordinary compassion, initiative, and determination. His efforts have given Charlie’s whole team hope and show what a powerful impact one person’s actions can have.”
The Lundie Memorial Awards scheme was established in 2020 to celebrate the good work an individual child or young person is doing for their church and community. Award winners receive a medal and certificate, and get to choose how to spend £100 for the benefit of children or young people in their church, synod or local community.
Confirming Dexter as an award winner, Sharon Lloyd, the URC’s Programme Officer for Children’s, Youth and Intergenerational Work, said: “What a wonderful youngster, so determined and driven. I look forward to hearing what he’ll do with the £100 – though I can guess!”
Over thirty Lundie awards are still available under the scheme. To find out more and to nominate a young person you know, go to bit.ly/URCLundie.