FRIENDS of a much-loved mum pulled on their football boots to raise money in her memory.

Adele Park, a mum of two young boys, died in February last year.

A ladies’ charity football match was held at the Whitehaven RUFC ground on Saturday, with female staff from the Sunny Hill pub playing against a group of ‘WAGs’ (wives and girlfriends) whose partners are regulars at the pub.

Friends of Adele and her husband Dave, who meet at The Sunny Hill pub in Whitehaven, are holding a number of fundraising events for two charities.

These are the Special Care Baby Unit at the West Cumberland Hospital, where Adele worked, and mental health charity Mind.

Dawn McNicholas, owner of the Sunny Hill pub, who helped organise the charity football match, said: “It was really good.

“There was an absolutely amazing turnout. The sidelines to the pitch were full. It was freezing but we all managed.”

A raffle was held at the pub afterwards with prizes donated by local businesses.

Craig ‘Shaggy’ Adams, a friend of Adele and Dave, also shaved off his beard which he had been growing for five years.

In total, the event has so far raised almost £4,500, with more sponsorship money to follow.

Dawn thanked all the ladies who took part in the football match, the referee, Tony Stagg, coach Craig Hodgson, the committee of Whitehaven RUFC, Keith Henderson and Anne Marie Houghton, who sold raffle tickets, and everyone who donated and bought raffle tickets.

“We are so very grateful for all the money we have received. It will go a long away to helping people with mental health problems,” she said.

Last year Dave also completed the Leicester Half Marathon along with more than 10 others.

When he set up a JustGiving page for people to donate to the two charities, he set a target of £500. However, this was soon smashed and raised almost £4,000.

A sponsored bike ride with the Team XIII cycling group is due to be held later this month.