MORE than 100 people gathered at Donnington Community Centre for an annual charity football match in memory of a local paramedic. Friends and family of Shaun Kavanagh, known to his family as ‘Del Boy’, have held the event since 2004 and have raised about £15,000 for Sobell House Hospice Charity.

This year’s total donations raised £1,605, the highest figure to date.

Mr Kavanagh, pictured, was diagnosed with cancer in 2003 and died the following April, aged 45.

Craig Hanlon, 32, Mr Kavanagh’s nephew, from Garsington, said: “The event went really well and we’re even thinking of stepping it up for the 10th one next year. “Shaun was a big character and was well-known in the area. “We used to call him our ‘Del Boy’ and he would just help anyone.” Mr Hanlon added that while his uncle was not an avid footballer, many of his friends played for Donnington Footballl Club. It was decided when he died a charity football match would be a good way to raise money in his memory. Each participant paid £5 to take part and teams were picked at random, either representing Donnington Football Club or ‘the Oxford Yellows’. Other activities at the event included pool, ping pong and table tennis tournaments, as well as a raffle. A friend of Mr Kavanagh, Nick Green, also performs a comedy dance every year and this year raised £370 when he dressed up as Mr Blobby from BBC television’s Noel’s House Party. Mr Kavanagh’s father, John, 84, from Donnington, said it was “marvellous” to see so many people. The former Morris Motors worker said: “Shaun was well-liked by everybody and he was a dedicated, first-class paramedic. “Hundreds turned up to his funeral in 2004, including many from the ambulance service.” His mother, Anne, 79, said: “It was a fantastic turnout – Shaun was a lovely person.”