Families turn out to remember "courageous teenager" who died of cancer

Residents in Bromley Cross gathered for a football match this weekend in honour of a “brave and courageous” teenager who died from cancer.

Friends and community members gathered at a second annual remembrance event in memory of 17-year-old Mackenzie Reece at Eagley Football Club on Sunday.

Mackenzie, from Bromley Cross, died in March 2023, just under three years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer, aged just 15.

Mackenzie Reece died aged 17 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma (Image: Public)

Throughout his treatment, Mackenzie underwent surgery, radiotherapy and bone marrow transplants as well as multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Despite this, he was able to complete his GCSEs and pass both his driving theory and practical test.

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His mum, Paula Flanagan, described her son as “a hero; a strong brave courageous warrior.”

“He loved life and had many plans for the future.

Residents came to Eagley FC to gather for entertainment and a football match (Image: Newsquest)

Sunday’s memorial event was organised by Karen and Phil Roberts, parents to Mackenzie’s best friend Declan, who said they hoped to “bring the community together”.

Karen said: “Mackenzie passed away after his battle with cancer that he really fought hard for.

“Because he played in the football team, there was a group of parents who always saw each other, so it impacted us a lot and the boys were all friends, so we’ve decided among us that we’re going to keep his memory alive.

A banner in memory of Mackenzie Reece (Image: Newsquest)

“We’ve decided to make it an annual thing, last year it was mainly focused on fundraising but this year it's more of a community thing, it's just about getting everybody together.

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Karen said that Mackenzie was very close to his friends, who had “loads of good times together” including going to Leeds Festival.

The event had a great turnout from residents (Image: Newsquest)

As well as being a keen footballer, Mackenzie also loved cars, holidays abroad, gaming, music, and spending time with his friends. He also enjoyed swimming, running and going to the gym.

Mackenzie died peacefully at home on Sunday March 26, 2023. He had begun studying for his A-levels at Turton Sixth Form College, and also played for CMB Football Club in Lostock.

Karen continued: “It’s just a nice way of keeping the memory of him alive. It was hard to accept that he had gone.”