A special event to remember a 24-year-old father of two who died in a road accident has raised £700.

About 70 friends and family turned out for a memorial football match for Daniel Girling, who lived in Skelmersdale Road, Clacton.

Mr Girling died in February when his van was in a crash on the M25.

Remembering Daniel: Friends raised £700

Friends of the former Colne Community School pupil decided to put on the match at Brightlingsea's Regent's Park Recreation Ground yesterday.

Rosebud took on Regent's Park as Daniel had played for both sides. His father, Dave, is manager of Regent's Park.

Daniel's girlfriend, Heidi, and his two sons, Sonny and Brooklyn, also turned out to watch.

In the end Regent's Park ran out 3-1 winners. After the match everyone went back to the Rosebud pub at Hurst Green, Brightlingsea, where they staged a raffle which raised £700.

The money will buy a memorial seat and the rest will go into a trust fund for Daniel's two boys.

Published Monday, May 26, 2003

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