Charity tournament held in father's memory

The co-owner of the Soccer Factory on Edinburgh Way has organised a charity football tournament after his father died from cancer last year.

Graham Fisher, who also owns Logistics Alliance Ltd in Castleton, has invited rival transport firms to take part in the tournament on Saturday 28 March in the hope of easing the doom and gloom of the economic recession.

"One of my directors lost both of his parents to cancer and last year my Dad passed away," said Mr Fisher. It was like a freight train hitting the family. We didn't know about the cancer until it was its very late stages then four or five days later he left us without us really having time to come to terms with it. That is why we wanted to do something to help Cancer Research, because it is close to both our hearts.

"Things are a bit doom and gloom in the transport industry at the moment so we wanted to give local companies some relief from the daily grind."

So far ten different transport companies have entered teams into the tournament, which 41-year old Mr Fisher decided to organise after losing his dad, Leonard, to cancer aged 65 last summer.

He is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for the charity through entrance fees for teams, donations, and raffle tickets; with some fantastic prizes on offer, including an eco-scooter worth £1000 and a signed Rochdale AFC shirt.

The tournament takes place on Saturday 28 March from 1pm to 4pm. Admission is free but donations will be welcome.