Huge turnout for injured bobby's charity event (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Huge turnout for injured bobby's charity event

9:25am Monday 21st May 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Hundreds of people turned out to support a charity football tournament in aid of Highworth police officer Martin Miles.

Nineteen teams took to the County Ground pitch yesterday with many police and fire teams involved in the six-a side championship.

The popular bobby was at Swindon Town's ground to witness the day's events. He worked on the Highworth beat before losing his leg in a motorbike accident and organisers hope the day will bring in substantial funds when the final figures from the day are released on Friday.

Chief Constable for Wiltshire Martin Richards said: "Martin is an inspiration. It is great to see so many people turn up.

"It shows how well thought of Martin is. A great deal of thanks must go to Swindon Town for letting us use their ground."

PC Miles' friend and colleague, PC Ian Larcombe, said: "We would like him back. He is well liked and well missed by all the locals in Highworth.

"They are always asking after him. He was just a typically good bobby. It is great that a day like today was organised for him."

One of the organisers, PC Jim Neighbour, said: "The event has gone really smoothly. There was a big turnout so we are all pleased.

"It was very sad what happened to Martin so it is important to do our bit to show our appreciation of the work he did."

Community Support Officer Gemma Charlesworth said it was a great day out after playing for Swindon Ladies in the competition.

She said: "It was great to have fun as well as raise funds for Martin. We all had such a good day."

Simon Mann from Central Swindon was with his daughters Megan, five, and Amy, three. He said: "It has been great to come to the stadium and watch some good games.

"The standard was high and it was an enjoyable afternoon."

The pitch was split up into four quadrants to represent the different leagues. Each game lasted for 10 minutes, with no added time and goals could be scored from anywhere on the pitch.

The match was continuous with substitutes required to retrieve the balls. After the many round robin games with teams playing each other in the four leagues, the two teams with the most points went through to the knockout stages.

Eventually the Youth Offending Team (YOT) from Parks in East Walcot edged out a closely fought final winning 1-0 against a youth team from Highworth.

Their coach Paul Wainwright, who is also a youth worker, said: "It was great to win. The boys worked hard for their victory.

"I don't know Martin personally but it is good we can raise funds for his appeal."

Ricky Flanagan, who played in the successful team, said after the final: "We deserved to win. It was a great day out."

They proudly held aloft the trophy and winners' medals, which were kindly sponsored by Arval, the vehicle fleet and fuel management company, based in Windmill Hill Business Park, West Swindon.

They made significant donations to the fund along with the insurance firm Zurich.