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Gillingham goalscorer Regan Charles-Cook sends support to grieving fan after hitting winner against Accrington Stanley

Gillingham dedicated their weekend win to a fan who has suffered a tragedy.

Supporter Olly Monk and his wife were left devastated after their identical twins were stillborn.

Regan Charles-Cook's goal gave fan Olly Monk something to smile about Picture: Ady Kerry
Regan Charles-Cook's goal gave fan Olly Monk something to smile about Picture: Ady Kerry

He was one of 254 Gills fans watching at Accrington as Regan Charles-Cook scored the winning goal.

After the match, the Gillingham match winner tweeted: “That win was for you buddy.”

Gills manager Steve Evans also messaged to offer his condolences and said: “My family’s thoughts and prayers are with him and his family to stay strong and build a bright future.

“From my message exchanges, he is a proper Gills family man and the result helped him smile. The power of football is simply amazing.”

The siblings had contracted the rare condition twin to twin transfusion syndrome and Dottie passed away just a few weeks after Poppy, on October 13.

Gillingham FC 2019 -2020.Accrington vs Gillingham, 26th October 209.Regan Charles-Cook celebrates scoring the opening / winning goal. (20437440)
Gillingham FC 2019 -2020.Accrington vs Gillingham, 26th October 209.Regan Charles-Cook celebrates scoring the opening / winning goal. (20437440)

A funeral was held last Friday and the following day Olly decided to go and watch the Gills - and he’s glad he did.

Olly, who now lives in Manchester with wife Katie, tweeted on Saturday: “The past two weeks have been the hardest in my life. My two angels were born sleeping and yesterday we held a funeral.

“I wasn’t going to go watch the Gills but I’m glad I did. I managed to crack a smile for the first time in weeks.”

Olly said the support from Evans and fellow Gills fans was overwhelming, commenting: “Football is an amazing sport. Thank you all for your kind messages, tweets and responses, me and my wife are truly touched.

“Also a huge thank you to Steve Evans who took the time to text me.”

Fans have sent messages on social media encouraging others to show their support by holding a minute’s applause on the 13th minute of this Saturday’s game against Rotherham.

Olly is now hoping to raise money for the Twins Trust, to help them fund more research into twin to twin transfusion syndrome. He is planning on running the Great Manchester Run half marathon in May next year.

Click here to visit his justgiving page.

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