FAMILY and friends of a father of two who lost his battle with cancer gathered at Teignmouth AFC to celebrate his life and raise money for the charity which helped him fulfil his dream.

Rob Hooper, husband to Danielle and father to Cori and Riley, sadly passed away in 2021 after being diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer; Saturday, August 6, saw him remembered something grand with a charity football match pitting Blues against Reds.

The former would emerge victorious, fending off the Reds’ 10 goals to eight: an impressive display of sportsmanship from both sides in spite of some contested off-side calls and a handful of doubtful decisions from the referee.

With the match done and dusted, an afternoon of fun ensued with archery, bouncy castles, child and adult penalty shoot outs, auction, raffle and more: a barbecue fed the hungry masses and much beer flowed.

First and foremost the charity day was a means of remembering Rob and the number of people in attendance was surely all the testament needed for one to understand the man that Rob was.

It was also, however, a means of raising funds for the Willow Foundation,  a charity that woks with seriously ill adults to fulfil special days out, such as the one Rob, Danielle, Cori and Riley went on to Goodison Park.

Danielle Hooper said: ‘The reason for Saturday was in memeory of my husband Rob.

‘While he was going through his really awful chemotherapy regime we were put in touch with the Willow Foundation and they sent us to Goodison Park which was Rob’s absolute dream.

‘We had the best weekend there and we made some amazing memories.

‘Ever since we have been wanting to give something back to Willow.

‘One of Rob’s best friends came up with the idea of organising a memorial day and it just grew from there.’

More than £18,000 has been raised for the charity of the back of the huge generosity shown by Rob’s family and friends as well as businesses in Teignmouth and further afield.

Teignmouth Complete Estate Agents and Letting Agents presented a cheque of £3,650 to be donated to the charity.

Danielle said: ‘Complete Estate Agents have been absolutely amazing, their donation has made a massive impact on our final total.’

Kim Forte, lettings office manager at Complete Estate Agents and cousin to Danielle, said: ‘We give money to chairty every quater, we nominated Willow because of Rob.

‘From every one of our sales we have been adding £50 to the donation.

‘Rob was very special to us and we saw Danielle have such an amazing experience thanks to Willow - it is a well worthy charity.’