FRIENDS of a Warminster teenager who died following a brain injury held a charity football tournament in his memory on Sunday, raising £1,000.

A total of 18 teams from the local area competed in the tournament, which has been held at Warminster Highbury FC’s ground for the past five years to honour the talented footballer Niall Stewart, who died after suffering a brain haemorrhage in January 2012.

The tournament, which ran from 10am until 5.30pm, was organised to not only honour the popular teenager but also to raise money for brain injury association Headway, reaching a total of over £1,000.

Kieron Edwards, 23, was a good friend of Mr Stewart and played football with him at both Heytesbury and Warminster United, where they won trophies together for three seasons in a row.

He said: “Hosting a football tournament in Niall’s memory to help other families rebuild their lives after brain injury feels like a fitting tribute.

“We thought of the idea soon after Niall’s death and the match quickly became an annual tradition where we can all come together and remember the good times we had with Niall both on and off the pitch.

“This year’s tournament went really well, the sun was shining all day and the matches were very competitive, especially towards the end of the tournament.

“There was a crowd of around 400 throughout the day. If Niall had been there I’m sure he would have loved it – playing football was what he loved doing more than anything.”

Warminster Sharks were the winning team on the day, who were presented the trophy by the parents of Mr Stewart – a ceremony which has become a tradition in the tournament’s history.

Cerys Beeby, senior fundraiser at Headway, said: “We feel deeply privileged that Niall’s friends chose to support our charity for their football tournament.

“The large turnout is a real testament to the strong community spirit this event has created. Niall was evidently an incredibly kind, intelligent and fun-loving young man, and I am sure he would be very moved by the touching efforts of his friends to keep his memory alive through a sport he loved so much.

“Thanks to the team’s hard work, funds raised will help us to deliver vital frontline services, ranging from the national helpline to Headway’s Emergency Fund, to families in need of urgent and ongoing support after brain injury.

“On behalf of everyone at Headway, I would like to thank anyone who contributed to making this year’s tournament such a wonderful success.”

To find out more about Headway, contact Ellis Kaey on 0115 924 0800 or e-mail projects@headway.org.uk.