The MUM of Leigh Gaskin has praised the dedication of friends and family for the sheer number of charity events being organised in his memory.

Mr Gaskin, 27, of Longford Road died last August, 18 months after being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects children and young adults.

A football match and family fun day on Sunday at The Conigre in Melksham is the latest event to be held to raise money for charity Sarcoma UK, with school friends of the former Aloeric School and George Ward School pupil travelling from as far as Toronto and Ireland to be part of it.

Footballer players young and old as well as former players from Melksham Park, who Mr Gaskin played for from the aged of eight to 16, all joined in to compete for a trophy and an under sevens’ tournament took place with the youngsters receiving a medal with ‘inspire others’ written on them.

Hundreds of people turned up on the day, which was also planned to be a reunion between people who knew Mr Gaskin, and his parents Lynn and Kevin let off 28 orange balloons to mark what would have been the year he turned 28 on March 19.

As well as the football matches, there were also a number of stalls and activities from face painting, a disco and raffle which many local businesses had donated to and the event is on track to raising £3,000 for Sarcoma UK.

“Sarcoma UK are very very supportive. They are only a small charity and it’s going towards research and research is what Leigh wanted it to go towards,” Mrs Gaskin said.

Mr Gaskin’s brother Dan and six friends, who he went to Bath Spa University with, took part in videogame marathon earlier this year raising more than £1,400. In total more than £7,000 has been raised for the charity.

The family are also hoping to hold the event next year and friends have several other fundraising ideas up their sleeves for the future including a bike ride from London to Paris next May.

To donate go to: justgiving.com/InMemoryofLeighGaskin