In Jacob's memory

FORMER Chelsea football stars raised £5,000 by playing a charity match in memory of tragic youngster Jacob Wragg.

More than 350 fans paid to watch the Chelsea Old Boys play a Chestnut Tree House XI to raise funds for the children's hospice on Sunday afternoon.

Jacob, who lived in Henty Close, Worthing, and suffered from Hunter's Syndrome, received care at the children's hospice at Poling, near Angmering. He died in July.

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Chelsea players took part in the game at Woodside Road, Worthing, after reading about the 10-year-old's death in a national newspaper.

Jacob's mum Mary, 40, was in the crowd wearing a Chelsea football top. His brother, George, six, was a mascot for the game.

Amateurs had bid up to 300 to play against the All Stars side.

Gary Chivers, player-manager for the Chelsea Old Boys and an ex-Brighton player, said: "It went very, very well. There was a good turn-out with lots of Chelsea fans in the crowd.

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"It was not about the game, it was about raising as much money as we could for the cause and there can be no better reason than playing a game for Jacob."

Gary, 44, told the Herald he plans to hold another match in Jacob's memory next year.

"I have spoken to Mary (Jacob's mum) about a game next year and she thinks it is a fantastic idea for us to come down again."

He described Mrs Wragg as "a lovely woman going through a tough time at the moment."

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"It was good to see her there and she thanked us all for coming along."

"George is only six but he ran onto the pitch for a kickabout with us. In fact, I think we had to delay kick-off because he wouldn't get off. It was great to see him in high spirits."

The match ended 3-3.

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