Members of the University of Sheffield Women’s Basketball Club will host a charity fundraising day on Saturday October 12, to celebrate the life of a beloved teammate and friend.
Mathilde Le Toquin, a second year Biomedical Scientist playing her second season with the first team, tragically lost her short battle with cancer in June, aged only 21.
Mathilde’s teammates, Mem Swanborough, Nikhita Chandar and Bethany Rutherford, have organised a day full of fundraising for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The charity supports the young persons’ unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where Mathilde was treated.
The event will begin at 2:30pm with some friendly basketball games at Goodwin Sports Centre, with players requested to make a £2 donation.
After the basketball, a drinks service will start at 7:30pm at Interval Kitchen at the SU. The evening will involve numerous fundraising activities including a charity raffle.
Mem Swanborough said: “Some of us attended the funeral in July in Shropshire, and it was really nice to reflect on fond memories with her family and friends. This event is to share that with everyone that wasn’t able to attend, and maybe didn’t know her as well.
“The teenage cancer trust is a really worthy cause and we’d love to help raise awareness whilst celebrating her life. We want to raise as much money as possible while celebrating the amazing woman she was.”
Mem, Nikhita and Bethany stress that the event is open to all, regardless of whether you knew Mathilde or not.
“Mathilde was the most motivated and kind-hearted person you’d ever meet. She had so much drive to do what she wanted to achieve in life”, Mem said.
“She never had a bad word to say about anyone, was extremely welcoming within the club and always helped people both on and off the court. She was always so bubbly and lively, you just couldn’t really be in a bad mood with her.”
Sharing their memories, it’s clear how much Mathilde meant to her friends.
“It was varsity in first year and Mathilde and I were both playing”, Nikhita remembers.
“Hallam usually smash us, but this time we played really well. We were ecstatic. Mathilde picked me up and spun me round and it was such a happy adorable moment.”
Beth recalls Halloween 2018: “We dressed up as zombie basketballers. I went to her house early to get ready and she helped me with my zombie makeup because she was so good at it and I was useless.
“It just summed her up, she loved basketball and helping people so much.”
