FOOTBALLERS gathered to play a match to raise funds for two charities close to the hearts of people from the local area.

A team from the Roundel pub in Thornaby, near Stockton, represented the Gary Parkinson Trust, a charity set up for the Thornaby-born former Middlesbrough star Gary Parkinson who was struck down with locked-in syndrome almost five years ago.

Another team, from the Golden Eagle pub in Thornaby, represented Corey’s Smile, which was started by the family of 14-year-old Corey Duncan, who died from a rare kidney cancer in 2009.

The two teams played the charity match at Thornaby Football Club’s ground on Acklam Road, with the Golden Eagle team picking up the trophy.

Kevin Todd, physio at Thornaby FC, who organised the event along with Dave Phillips and Golden Eagle manager Tim Pinyoun, said: “That’s what this area is like, everyone in Thornaby comes together and looks out for each other.

"It is the second year we’ve held the match and all the funds will go to two charities that mean a lot to people in the town.

“I want to say thank you to everyone involved, and to the football club for letting us use the ground.”