Ref. 27778A FOOTBALL match held in memory of Trowbridge schoolgirl Charlotte Wakeham has raised over £300 for the charity set up in her name.

Charlotte lost her battle against a rare form of cancer in September last year, aged eight.

When she was first diagnosed, 15 months earlier, her parents set up the Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund and since her death have carried on fundraising to pay for respite care and research for families in the same situation.

Along with parents Bill and Alison and her brother Leigh, six, Charlotte went regularly to watch Westbury United play football and on Saturday their Screwfix League Division One match against Corsham Town was held in her honour.

Her favourite colour was pink and players and officials from both teams ran out wearing pink armbands, led by Leigh who was Westbury's mascot for the day.

Heavy rain had put the event in jeopardy but after frantic work to clear the surface water off the pitch the game was given the go-ahead.

A crowd of 263 spectators turned out to watch the 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane and a collection raised almost £330 for the fund. Charlotte's parents said they were moved by the support they received.

Mrs Wakeham said: "Everyone has been brilliant. The support the club has given us has been totally overwhelming. We moved to the area in June 2000 and we have been coming here ever since.

"Charlotte really enjoyed coming to watch matches here and she used to shout at the players and tell them what to do. I am sure she is here with us today."

The fund was originally set up to raise money so Charlotte could have one last holiday to remember, a trip to Disney World in Florida. Charlotte's family decided the money should be used to support research into the type of brain tumour that killed her and also to finance therapy for children suffering other forms of incurable disease.

Mr Wakeham said: "The idea of the fund is to help other people in the same situation as Charlotte.

"Westbury United meant a lot to her and it is great the amount of people who have turned out for today."

Westbury United manager Derek Graham admitted had it not been the fundraiser the match might well have been postponed.

He said: "The pitch was heavy but there was no way we were going to call it off."

Corsham Town manager Colin Bush admitted football took second place on Saturday. He said: "It has been a fantastic turnout for Charlotte's family. We are privileged to be involved in such an important event.

"We hope we can do whatever we can to help. We have had a battle today but when you think of people with difficulties like that then football is not that important."

Event organiser Andy Bown said: "A draw was the result everyone wanted although it didn't happen in the way you would expect.

"Leigh had a whale of a time as mascot and we are very happy with the amount of support and money the fund received."