Hundreds watch match for Gaz

HUNDREDS of people turned out for a fund-raising football match held in memory of a Portishead teenager.

Family and friends of Gaz Hedges organised the match on Sunday and the day also included live bands, a raffle and a barbecue, resulting in more than �1,400 being collected for Children’s Hospice South West.

Gaz was 19 when he died in August after being hit by a car in Nore Road and Sunday’s event was held on what would have been his 20th birthday.

He was an avid football fan and the match at Portishead Football Club was held between former players of Portishead Juniors, the team Gaz used to play for, and Gordano Valley Giants. The game resulted in a 1-0 win for Portishead Juniors.

Before kick off, a one-minute applause took place in memory of Gaz and after the match a raffle was held, with 20 prizes donated by Portishead businesses, and live music was provided by These Words and Nine Lights. Gaz’s mum Rachael said: “The whole day was amazing - it was absolutely fantastic.

“Thank you to all the business that donated prizes and to the football club for letting us use the venue for nothing.”

Costco donated the barbecue for the day and raffle prizes were donated by Bristol City Football Club as well as businesses including Bryant’s Jewellers, The Windmill pub and Casa Mia.