By Helen Thompson

Published at 15:43, Wednesday, 28 July 2010

EGREMONT Rangers and Wath Brow Hornets are to join together to take on Championship One high fliers Hunslet Hawks in a fundraising game for the Garry Purdham Memorial Trust Fund.

The clash, in memory of the former Egremont player, who was killed in last month’s West Cumbrian shootings, will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, August 30 at Gillfoot Park.

MITIE are the main sponsors of the day, with all money raised going to the Trust fund for Garry’s family.

To make the challenge more interesting Egremont have combined with local rivals Wath Brow Hornets and the team will be coached by John Brocklebank and Ian Rooney.

Rooney was happy to help and said: “Garry was a brilliant bloke, we are happy to support this event and I expect the whole club will come out in force on the day.”

The measure of commitment from Wath Brow is obvious as they are also due to play Wigan St Patrick’s a couple of days later at home. Egremont are particularly thankful to Wath Brow and Hunslet who both requested to be involved in such a game to show their respect towards Garry Purdham.

As with all the events and functions being organised the community spirit of the area and indeed outside the area is very evident.

“We wanted to do something fitting for Garry and were pleased when the family agreed for us to hold the event,” said event organiser Morris Svabic from Egremont.

“We would love to get a big crowd, maybe 1,000 people. Garry would blush if he knew such a number would turn up, but it would be a fitting tribute,” added Brocklebank.

“He would, however, be very proud to see his son, Cameron play for Egremont in the under-8s game which will take place at half-time.

“We will launch our new strip for the season which will pay tribute to Garry and take us back to the colours we last wore the season we won the NCL premier division in 1997/98.

“Billy Rudd came up with the idea and he has kindly sponsored the strip. That season was probably the best year ever in Egremont’s 110 year history.

“Garry and Rob Purdham both played in the side that also had a memorable run in the Challenge Cup which included the famous 18-0 win over Workington Town at Whitehaven’s Recreation Ground.”

The connection with Hunslet Hawks comes from chairman Steve Ball who has been instrumental in helping put on the Cumbria versus England clash on October 3.

“Steve has been brilliant in his role for the RFL Benevolent fund and we are grateful he has agreed for his club to help out raising money for the trust fund,” said Brocklebank, the Egremont chairman, who has been involved in organising the big event with Whitehaven and Workington chairmen Dick Raaz and David Bowden.

The main event kicks off at 2.30pm with a warm up game from the Masters of Egremont and Wath Brow starting at 1.30pm.

The Masters game itself will be a delight with past players from Egremont and Wath Brow rekindling some of their skills from bygone years.

Admission will be by programme priced at £5 and £3 for children. Refreshments will be provided at the field with Egremont Cricket Club kindly opening their Clubhouse for use to supporters on the day.

The club are looking forward to a good turnout on the day and a fitting tribute to Garry, one of Egremont’s finest.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk