A CHARITY rugby match staged on Saturday afternoon at Ruskin Park raised over £400 for Cancer Research.

The match was held in honour of former Parr fireman and former rugby player 62 year-old Brian 'Ike' Fishwick who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The game between Burtonwood All Stars and Ike's Barbarians was played in good spirit as Brian's friends and team-mates gathered to remember the fun times they enjoyed together.

"My dad was sadly too ill to attend, but we had a blank leather bound book and asked everyone to sign it. He’s getting worse as the days go on now and asked for people to remember him how he was, not how he looks now," said Brian's son, Andy.

"Over £400 was raised (pushing to the total on the justgiving website to £1,000) and those who took part had all either worked or played rugby with my dad. One was even rescued by him!

"It means so much to our family that so many people gave up their time and money to pay their respects. Fond memories were shared, old faces remembered - a day to enjoy during such a sad time."

Representatives from Ruskin Park, Ormskirk, Liverpool St Helens, Burtonwood Bulldogs and Newton-le-Willows rugby clubs all helped on the day and plans were made to stage an annual competition for the Ike Fishwick Trophy.