Celebrity football match raises funds for charity

A charity football match in West Sussex was a "huge success", organisers have said.

More than 700 people attended the match at Bognor Regis Town FC's Nyewood Lane on Sunday, which raised funds for children's hospice Chestnut Tree House.

Among those playing was Sussex-based Phil Turner, who finished runner-up in series 18 of The Apprentice.

He said he was "chuffed" so many attended and donated, adding: "The work Chestnut Tree House do is simply wonderful."

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Thanks to support from the local community, children and families who know they don't have long together have the chance to live life to the full and say goodbye in the way that is right for them.

"The generosity of the local community makes this happen."

Ex-England cricketer Monty Panesar, former EastEnders actors Ricky Groves and Dean Gaffney, and Calum Best, the son of football legend George Best, were also due to play in the match.

The charity said almost £6m was needed every year to fund Chestnut Tree House, which provides hospice care services and community support for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in East and West Sussex and beyond.

The spokesperson said the majority of its funds came from donations and fundraising.

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