Sporting hotshots have a go at goal for appeal (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Sporting hotshots have a go at goal for appeal

Ref. 75849-83SPORTING heroes took to the hallowed turf of Swindon's County Ground to boot a goal for the Asian Tsunami Appeal.

Swindon's mayor, Coun Peter Stoddart, speedway rider Lee Richardson, former STFC players Ian Woan and Iffy Onuora and the Evening Advertiser's very own Victoria Tagg took on former STFC player Phil King, former boxer Pete Neal, darts player Ronnie Baxter, speedway rider Alun Rossiter and GWR presenter Howard Taylor in a penalty shootout.

Stopping the balls was Swindon Town veteran goalkeeper Fraser Digby during half-time of the at-home match to Stockport on Saturday in front of more than 5,000 spectators.

Altogether £1,300 was raised from donations including £500 from Arkells Brewery, £250 from The Manor public house and £200 from collection in Ladbrokes shops.

A further £570 was raised with collections at the gates.

Organiser Jackie Wilkinson of Ladbrokes said: "My thanks go to all that took part for braving the cold and helping us raise so much money."

The Advertiser's head of features, Victoria Tagg, whose team won the short tournament by 11 goals to eight said: "Two out of three was not bad for my first ever penalty shoot out, my footballing skills don't usually get such a big audience.

Only Lee scored a hat trick and scoring two out of three were the mayor, Victoria, Ronnie, Iffy, Phil and Pete. Alun and Howard got just one ball in each. Goalie Fraser stopped 11.