Hockey keeps Holly Butcher’s wishes and spirit alive for generations to come

Her final words of wisdom touched the world, and a committed group of players is ensuring her legacy and memory lives long into the future to help others

The death of well known Grafton sportswoman Holly Butcher had a profound effect on those that knew and loved her in her hometown.

And the letter she wrote before her death, travelled around the world, inspiring thousands to take on her final words of wisdom and keep her spirit alive.

A bit of life advice from Hol:It’s a strange thing to realise and accept your mortality at 26 years young. It’s just...

Posted by Holly Butcher on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Each year, her fellow hockey friends have kept it alive with the “Doing it For Holly Round”, which was formed from her “Red 25” blood donation group.

Event organiser Tayla Gauci said the whole day was designed to raise money and awareness for blood donation, which Holly said in her letter kept her alive for another year.

“Teams dress up to celebrate the day, and we have a Red Cross representative here for the day from 11.30 answering any questions people have about blood donation, and registering them into Holly’s group so they can make appointments,” she said.

Ms Gauci said that they had also organised buses to take groups throughout the year to donate blood as part of Holly’s group.

“Since it started, there’s been 978 donations to the group, and that’s saved 2934 lives, which is massive,” she said.

“This year we’re going to trying to save 100 lives, so if we can get 34 people to donate we’ll reach that.”

Teams dress up for the Doin' It For Holly round to promote blood donation

The day is not just for hockey players, with members of the public encouraged to come down to the grounds on Saturday, watch the round of games and get information about how they can help.

“So many people are putting their hand up to help,” she said. “This year the mens C-grade are playing all their game on the grass and there’s a barbecue, and the hockey association are donating 50c from every drink sold at the bar and opening the top level of the bunkhouse to watch the games.

“It’s becoming a bigger and bigger event that’s really well supported.”

For Ms Gauci, who was a school friend of Holly’s, she said the support of the cause was a testament to Holly and her family.

Teams dress up for the Doin' It For Holly round to promote blood donation

“I think personally, I’ve had a few people who have been ill and have needed that blood donation, and that part of her letter hit for me the most – it can take for you to be affected for someone who needed blood,” she said.

“I figure if I can do one thing and keep that going, and I’m hoping my kids will play hockey, and though they don’t know her they can ask “Who’s Holly?” and it’ll keep that memory alive.

The big day of hockey was held at the Grafton Hockey complex on Saturday.