Charity football match in Corby to honour local hero James Ashworth VC raises £4,500

1 August 2013

A charity football tournament held in memory of a decorated soldier killed brought together over 500 people at the S&L stadium in Corby on Saturday 20 July and raised just under £4,500 for two charities including Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

Titled the Ashworth Cup it honours the memory of Lance Corporal James Ashworth, 23, who was killed as he stormed a Taliban sniper team which was attacking his platoon.

42 teams with eight players each collided head on with support from local businesses providing marquees, food and play equipment for children. The tournament, which was attended by James’ mother Kerry Ashworth, was won by Outer Milan from Corby.

Whilst local bands kept the crowds entertained, Northants Police and St John’s Ambulance offered their support.

The event which raised just over £2,500 last year was organised by David Miller with a lot of support from Liam Black – both from Corby. James, David and Liam were old friends and played football together for the Quantum Print Vikings Football Club.

The event was also supported by Gerry Riley, Chairman and Andrew Brown, Manager of the football club. Andrew sadly passed away last year before the event came to its fruition.

David says: “I am thrilled that we almost doubled our takings this year, making it even bigger and better than last year’s event.

James really enjoyed football, and if he was alive today he would have been very grateful for the support. We are delighted that we have raised money for the charities which resonate with the dedication he had for the military.

The Ashworth Cup is soon becoming a tradition of sorts here in Corby. This could not have been possible if it was not for the support of our Manager Andrew Brown.

Roll on January 2014 so I can start planning the next one!”

The money raised will be split between Blesma, The Limbless Veterans and Help for Heroes.

In June this year a square in Corby was officially renamed James Ashworth VC Square in the honour of the local hero.

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.

For more information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans visit www.blesma.org

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

Hi-res images can be downloaded from the links below

James Ashworth in uniform /media/24336/James-Ashworth.jpg

David Miller and Liam Black with the Ashworth Cup
/media/24345/ashworth-cup-photo-2.png

About Blesma

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless serving and ex service men and women, their widows and dependants.

It is a membership organisation which helps wounded service men and women rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Their membership includes those who have lost the use of a limb, an eye or the sight of an eye.

Blesma was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma today has over 4000 Members and widows. The membership consists of men and women who have served during the Second World War and the many subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, including the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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