T for Thomas football match to be held for Darwin teen Thomas Snell

STUDENTS of Good Shepherd Lutheran College and Taminmin College have played dozens of football matches throughout their schooling, but none will be as meaningful as this Thursday’s

Thomas Snell's cousin Bella Clarke and mate Tom Boustead will be participating in the T for Thomas AFL match as part of World Sepsis Day on September 13. Picture: Justin Kennedy

STUDENTS of Good Shepherd Lutheran College and Taminmin College have played dozens of football matches throughout their schooling, but none will be quite as special or meaningful as this Thursday’s.

Playing for 13-year-old Thomas Snell, a young Territorian whose life was tragically cut short after contracting sepsis last year, students will take to the field on World Sepsis Day with the hope of spreading awareness about the deadly disease.

Thomas’ aunty and T for Thomas president Yvette Clarke organised the AFL match, which will see school students, staff and volunteers come together in memory of their dear friend and family member.

“We decided to hold the event on World Sepsis Day as we just wanted to get the word out there — our family had never heard of it, and if we had, Thomas might still be here,” she said.

“We would really like people to learn the signs of sepsis and know the key signs you can look for.”

Thomas Snell, 13, from Darwin who died from sepsis in Brisbane's Lady Cilento Hospital on July 22, 2017.

Thomas’ best mate Tom Boustead and his cousin Bella Clarke will both be taking part in the AFL match and say their friend and family member would be honoured by the event planned for Thursday.

“I’m sure he would be proud of everyone — all his friends and family,” Bella said.

“He was like a brother to me and we were very close. He would be so appreciative that the whole community is getting around it (the AFL match), because it really is an awesome cause.”

With at least 18,000 Australians being diagnosed with sepsis every year, and around 5000 losing their lives, Thomas’ mother Amanda Clarke said sepsis awareness is vital.

“My biggest goal is to make everyone aware about sepsis and to keep Thomas’ memory alive as I don’t want him to be forgotten,” she said.

“I just want to thank the entire community for their love and support, it’s totally overwhelming.”

The T for Thomas AFL match is set to get underway on September 13 at 9am at Taminmin College.

Students are being urged to wear their favourite football colours or the colour orange as part of World Sepsis Day for a gold coin donation.

To find out more information or to donate to the T for Thomas foundation, visit www.tforthomas.com.