Crowland's Johanna Paice organises charity 'QPR vs Ajax' football match to remember dad Richard and raise funds for Diabetes UK

A former policeman was remembered fondly by friends and family on a day of fundraising fun.

Johanna Paice, who is centre manager at Crowland Leisure and Wellbeing Centre, helped to organise a charity football match at Snowden Field in memory of her dad Richard.

Mr Paice - who passed away two years ago, aged 60, due to Diabetes and complications with Covid-19 - was a big Queens Park Rangers and Ajax supporter.

Players were kitted out in those teams’ colours last weekend - with the QPR team emerging as 3-0 winners.

Youngsters from Cardea FC were amongst those taking part after postponing their scheduled fixture so they could go along.

More than £1,400 has been raised for Diabetes UK so far - and Johanna was delighted with how the day panned out.

“It went really well. The turnout was huge,” she said.

“There were actually two matches going on - there was another memorial match on the Snowden Field as well, so that was quite nice as people were swapping and changing between them both.”

The showpiece event, held last Sunday, was then followed by a day of live music, quizzes and barbecues at the George & Angel pub.

Two bands - The Sound Injectors and TOOFA - performed live on the day, with a music-themed quiz in keeping with the theme.

Everyone took time to look back on memories of Mr Paice, who was a huge football fan. He left behind his wife, children and grandchildren.

“There were lots of friends and family there. It was really nice,” Johanna added.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the family’s fundraiser can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/QPRVSAJAX