FOOTBALL, face painting and ‘plenty of fun’ will be the order of the day at a family fundraiser in memory of a four-year-old boy this bank holiday.

After the tragic death of Barnaby Cork outside Thame Leisure Centre in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the community has rallied behind his family to help them raise more than £30,000 for Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

An inquest last month concluded Barnaby's death was an accident, after his father Stefan hit him while reversing in the centre's car park.

And on Monday, May 1 the family hope a Charity Football Family Fun Day will raise even more for service that tried to save Barnaby’s life.

On the family’s just giving page, Mr Cork said he and his wife Ella would always be indebted to the air ambulance for their ‘speed, skill and courage.'

One of the organisers of the event father-of-three Stuart Gibson said there would be something for everyone to enjoy on the day.

The 46-year-old added: “We spoke with Stefan and Ella about doing this fundraiser and they insisted on it being a fun-filled day.

“They want everybody who comes along to have a good time and enjoy themselves whilst obviously raising money for a fantastic cause.

“Our main goal, as well as of course raising money, is for everyone to walk away from the day with a smile on their face.

“It really is all about having fun with your family and friends.”

The highlight of the day will kick off at five past one, and will see Dads from the town, the TVAA X1, take on the Iron Maiden XI in a highly anticipated football match.

Mr Gibson said: “We’ve tried to involve everyone with this.

“So we’ve got the children of the dads who are playing coming out as the team mascots, which is really nice.

“And to try and get our team into shape we had a friendly match down in Chinnor and they gave us £100 at the end of the match for the air ambulance.

“I was just astounded by their generosity.”

The event, which runs from 12noon to 4pm at the ASM Stadium in Thame, will also have a raffle.

Mr Gibson said: “We have been blown away by the support we have had from people and companies.

“Some of the prizes we have got for the raffle are unbelievable.

“Someone has offered us a week-long stay in a villa in Majorca and we’ve got signed sports memorabilia.

“We’re just really excited now for the day.”

Thame town mayor Linda Emery has praised the family and town's ‘amazing’ fundraising efforts and said that Barnaby was still ‘very much in our hearts.’

She added: “The air ambulance were just so wonderful in trying to save Barnaby but unfortunately it was not to be.

“The whole town has felt the family’s awful loss.”

For more information about the event visit: facebook.com/footballfamilyfunday1stmay/ and to donate visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/barnabycork