Another charity rugby match planned

The county's top policemen will once again head to north Norfolk with their rugby shirts and gum shields in honour of a colleague who lost his battle with motor neurone disease last year.

George Campbell, who joined the county's police force in 1990 and was based in North Walsham for much of his Norfolk career, died in August.

After he was diagnosed with the disease in late 2007, colleagues from Norfolk police and members of North Walsham rugby club, which Mr Campbell used to play for, took part in a rugby match to raise money for the MND Association.

The match raised �3,500 and now Mr Campbell's son, Matthew, is hoping to repeat that success with another testimonial game in honour of his dad next month.

North Walsham rugby team will once again field a team and the police, including Chief Constable Ian McPherson, were keen to sign up. Matthew said: 'I said I was thinking about holding a testimonial and fundraiser, and they said 'tell us the date and we will be there'.'

The 18-year-old has also put together a team of friends, many of which were coached by his dad, to make the event bigger than last time.

So far Mr Campbell's family, which includes his wife Jane and daughters Harriet, 16, and Katy, 9, have raised more than �10,000 for the MND Association by staging events like fashion shows and cricket matches.

Matthew said the charity had been incredibly supportive to his dad, providing him with equipment like a mobility scooter and wheelchair, and his family wanted to give something back. He said: 'It's all about raising money so they can continue doing that king of thing for people. They need funds all the time.'

The event will take place on February 1 beginning at 6pm at North Walsham rugby club.

For more information about the match, email Matthew at matthew-campbell@live.co.uk.

To find out more about motor neurone disease visit www.mndassociation.org.