CHARITY was named the winner of a tightly-contested football match in Halesowen at the weekend.

Halas Hawks Veterans were closely beaten 3-2 to a team representing Breast Cancer Now at Huntingtree Park on Sunday (September 3), in a match organised to raise funds for the charity.

More than 60 people were in attendance at the event, which alongside a cake sale and charity raffle raised £1,650 for the worthwhile cause.

Hawks’ under 11 girls’ coach Richard Weaver, who came up with the idea for the match, said: “It was a very good game played in the right way.

“We want to say a big thank the players on both team, everybody who came to the event and the people that helped on the day.

“It was a great afternoon and most importantly we raised money for a great charity.”

The match was organised after Halesowen woman Sonia Evans, whose daughter Simran plays for Richard’s under 11 side, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April.

Simran, along with her Hawks teammates, wanted to raise money to help cancer patients like her mum, so she baked cakes to sell at her end of year leavers’ production – raising £236 for Breast Cancer Now, before Richard suggested holding a football match.

Sonia, who organised the event, added: “This has been an amazing project to help my children remain positive and knowing that they are contributing to help others.

“It has also been a huge help to break any stigma and barriers amongst their peers – especially now that I have lost my hair due to chemo.”