A MEMORIAL football match is being organised in tribute to two paramedics who died on the same day.

Dave Oates, who was based at Bradford Ambulance Station, passed away from Motor Neurone Disease on April 30 while Mark Stanley, from Brighouse Ambulance Station, was a victim of Covid-19.

Now the two ambulance stations are getting together to organise a special match as a memorial to the pair and to raise funds for charity.

Steven Tonks, an emergency medical technician based out of Bradford ambulance station, said the two men had both served at the two bases during their careers.

He said the game between Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff was to have been held in July but has been postponed until late August or September because of the continuing Covid-19 crisis.

He added: "This should allow spectators to come and watch and pay a entry fee thus giving more money to charity."

The men's families have backed the efforts of Glyn Whittaker and Graham Bickerdyke from Brighouse station and Bhupesh Maisuria (Bups) from Bradford who wanted to dedicate a cup for the football tournament and raise money.

Mark's family have chosen the Royal British Legion and Dave's son Ned chose Scotty's Little Soldiers because Scotty's are supporting Ned at this difficult time.

Since announcing the news of Dave's diagnosis, the crews of the ambulance service past and present rallied around knowing that he and Sam had a young son Ned, now 14 years old.

Sam and Ned said they have had tremendous support by crews near and far and feel part of an organisation "that is not just a job it is family".

Sam added: "Both Ned and myself feel overwhelmed and honoured by everyone's kindness."

Glynn Whittaker said on behalf of Sam: “Dave joined Yorkshire ambulance service in 2004 after transferring from the Scottish ambulance service that he joined in 2001.

"Dave met his wife Sam in 2003 while he was on his paramedic course and Sam was on her technician course. Dave was diagnosed with an incurable disease motor neurone disease in August 2019, both Dave and Sam being medics knew that time was against them.

"Dave and Sam were always open about Dave's journey and Jenny Dobbin set up a Go Fund Me page to help make memories for Dave Sam and Ned.

"Dave was a proud paramedic who was so proud to have brought 51 babies into this world and held many hands leaving this world.

"Dave lost his short fight to MND on April 30 suddenly leaving wife Sam, daughter Nicola, 32, CJ, 30, Josh, 26, and Ned, 14, and two grandchildren Kian, 11, and Nancie, seven.

"Since Dave's death the crews of the ambulance service have kept his memory alive with spectacular commemorations from gifts from Calderdale and Huddersfield A&E to training rooms being named after Dave.”

Mark's widow Jacqueline said he started his career with the Ambulance Service in 1995, going onto to training school where he trained many technicians and paramedics. Mark then went back to working as a paramedic, always studying until he became a specialist paramedic. Always improving his skills and knowledge Mark completed a Master of Science with distinction in Health Studies in June 2019.

She said: "Mark became ill in April and tested positive for Covid-19. A week after being admitted to hospital Mark passed away on April 30. This shocked his family as he was a young, fit and healthy man."

He has left behind his wife Jacqueline of 37 years, two daughters, Isobel 33, Jessica, 28, and two granddaughters Evelyn and Sienna, both three.

Jacqueline said after a military career of 11 years, Mark had always been supportive of the Royal British Legion.