THERE was an outpouring of support for the family of Haslemere teenager Jasmine Bush, who sadly died in a rail accident at Haslemere railway station following a long battle with depression and anxiety, in August.

Paying tribute to the popular Woolmer Hill student, known as Jaz to her friends, headteacher Clare Talbot said the whole school was “deeply saddened by the devastating news”.

Determined that Jaz will never be forgotten, three friends of her father Ian Bush, are mounting a football and fun day at Woolmer Hill sports ground on Sunday, December 10, in loving memory, which will also raise funds for two charities close to her heart.

Organisers Ben Susans, Carl Thayre and Adam Bicknell, hope the event can become an annual fundraiser for good causes in memory of Jaz.

They chose a football tournament, because she played for Haslemere Football Club’s girls team – the event will start with a girls’ football match at 12.30pm.

Also playing on the day and wearing a special Jaz strip, will be her father’s team for his company, BC Construction.

Mr Susans said: “On August 24, the Bush family sadly lost Jasmine after her two-and-a-half year battle with depression and anxiety. She was also diagnosed with autism and PDA disorder and unfortunately the help out there was limited.

“After speaking to the family, they think it would be a great idea to organise something in her memory and to raise money and awareness for the National Autistic Society charity and a charity called Young Minds, who work to try and prevent mental illness developing and to help young people who suffer with mental illness.

“We have four teams participating in a tournament and are arranging a girls game for her friends and those that played in the same team as Jasmine.

“The BC team will have Jaz’s name on their backs and it will have her dad and brother in it, as well as people who work for Ian and who knew Jaz.

“We are presenting a trophy and we want there to be a memorial charity football match every year. Ian and the family were completely overwhelmed by the support from everyone and how people came together.

“Now is a time when many people of Jaz’s age can relate to what happened. Everyone who knows her family, knows they would be the first to offer support in similar circumstances.”

As well as the football, there will be a raffle, an auction, a bouncy castle, face painting, food and a bar, to raise funds for the charities.

Local businesses have funded two football kits and a trophy, plus many generous donations for raffle prizes.

• Donations are welcomed at www. justgiving.com/teams/jazbush