Jamie’s day nets cash for charity (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Jamie’s day nets cash for charity

8:00pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in News

A football tournament in honour of gifted young sportsman Jamie Walker, who died in a New Year’s Eve car accident with two of his friends, has raised thousands of pounds for two charities.

Jamie, a 17-year-old Leeds United fanatic who played for Chippenham Town Under-18s and Chippenham’s Futsal team, and his friends Frankie Bowyer, 16, and George Forester, 17, were killed after the car in which they were travelling home from a party hit a tree. Jamie’s parents Ian and Lisa, younger brother Billy and neighbour George Thomas, all from Hatherell Road, Chippenham, held the tournament at Stanley Park last week.

It will benefit the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

Mr Thomas said: “It was a super day with super weather and very well attended.

“We’d really like to thank our sponsors, notbusinessasusual ltd, Oasis Hair Studio and Porter Metals.”

Other local businesses also joined forces to help raise the cash, including PSP Insurance, who provided all insurance cover for free, and Waitrose and Bookers of Bath, who supplied all the barbecue food.

Three age groups played in the tournament – under-16s, under-21s and over-21s.

Jamie’s younger brother Billy captained the team that took the cup for the youngest group, much to his delight.

Mrs Walker said: “It was a lovely day, and a lot of Jamie’s friends came along to play too.

“We’re delighted with how much we’ve raised so far.”

So far, the tournament has raised more than £5,000. The family has also set a date for the second annual Jamie Walker Cup, a golf tournament that last year had sell-out success.

Mr Thomas said: “Chippen-ham Golf Club have agreed that we can hold the second Jamie Day at their club on October 24. “Anyone interested in playing this year as a team of four should visit www.webtis.co.uk for details.”