A charity afternoon paid a lasting tribute to the memories of two young Bognor Regis hockey players.
Jerry Cox’s Invitation XI side, which featured international hockey stars, crossed sticks with the Middleton and Bognor Hockey Club’s men’s team to raise £2,000 for a national charity.
The event was organised to raise funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which conducts research into the causes of heart problems and aims to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac deaths.
Following the sudden deaths of two of the club’s much-loved members, Luke Meekings and David Green, family, friends and team-mates are determined to raise awareness for sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS).
Luke, 23, played in any position for the team and died in the summer of 2009.
Midfielder David Green, 19, died last November, and had played the sport since he was 11 and been a club member for seen years.
David’s parents aid their son would have been extremely proud with the level of support the charity afternoon had gained.
His mum Gabby Green said: “David was a lovely lad who loved his sport. He was passionate about hockey and about football. He was incredibly fit and healthy and would train at least twice a week.
“At least 12 young people a week die suddenly because of an undiagnosed heart condition and we hope the charity event has raised money to help fund research to stop that happening.”
Jeremy Green, David’s dad said: “Dave’s death was a huge shock for all of us. We hope we can raise some awareness for CRY and help fund things like screening for young people who could be at risk.
“Everyone at the club has been fantastic and we are very pleased so many people turned up to support the match.”
More than 80 spectators turned out for the fundraising occasion organised by the Middleton and Bognor Hockey Club and Bognor Town Ladies Club on Saturday at The Arena sports centre off Westloats Lane.
Captain of the Middleton and Bognor men’s team Steve Pullen said: “We all wanted to go out and have a good match and make Dave and Luke proud. They were both fantastic lads and we are all extremely glad we were able to support the charity.”
As a mark of respect a one-minute silence was held before the first whistle and David and Luke’s team mates wore black armbands.
The game ended 7-1 in favour of the visitors.
Pat Simmonds, the lades’ captain, said the day had been a phenomenal success shown by an impressive total of £2,000 – double their original self-set target.
The match was followed by an auction and barbecue at the Bognor Sports club on Hawthorn Road.
