FAMILY, friends and former teammates of a popular footballer killed in a crash will come together to continue his fundraising mission.

Witham Rugby Club, off Spa Road, will be hosting a football fun day in memory of former White Notley striker Reis Farley-Hearn.

Mr Farley-Hearn, 28, was killed when his Mercedes van collided with a Volkswagen along Dunmow Road, Thaxted, on December 19 last year.

Now six months on from the tragedy, his partner Sarah Garvin has organised a family friendly event which will aim to raise money for Epilepsy Research UK in his honour.

She said: "Reis's mum passed away from Epilepsy so it was very close to his heart.

"Reis ran the London Marathon for his mum in 2016 and we were always doing things for the epilepsy charity and trying to raise as much money as we could.

"I think he saw it as his way of remembering her. Her death really hit him hard and it shows you what a kind person he was that he was determined to do something to remember her.

"I needed to do something for Reis to help keep me going and this seems like a great thing to do."

The fun day will be centred around a match which will see a number of Mr Farley-Hearn's old teammates from White Notley and Halstead Town form one team and face another made up of his friends and family.

There will also be a host of activities on offer throughout the day for children, including face painting and a bouncy castle.

With preparations still ongoing for the event, Miss Garvin admits she has been overwhelmed by the support shown from the various football clubs which Mr Farley-Hearn used to play for, which also includes Braintree Town and Witham Town.

She added: "Halstead and White Notley cancelled the matches they were meant to play in order to be able to come along and take part.

"The support I have had since Reis died has been amazing. You can't begin to think how incredible and helpful everyone has been.

"I have needed to keep myself busy to help me get myself out of bed in the mornings. I really hope we get lots of people coming along and joining in for a great cause."

The fun day takes place on Saturday, July 6 and gets underway at 1pm.

Entry costs £5.