A football match and fun day in memory of a former ladies player who died suddenly aged 23 raised more than £2,500 for a life-saving charity.

Danielle Moore and Vanessa Caulkett organised Kayleigh's Charity Football Match in honour of former Bramston School pupil Kayleigh Griffiths, who passed away after suffering an unexpected cardiac arrest in July, 2017.

At Witham Town Football Club on Sunday the community came together, raising £2,645.60 towards the special memorial fund run by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), in honour of Miss Griffiths.

The money raised will now be used to run a heart screening session for young adults in March, 2019.

Miss Moore and Miss Caulkett said: "Throughout organising this charity event everyone has been so kind and generous, all wanting to make it a success and raise as much awareness as possible for the CRY charity in memory of Kayleigh.

"It really was a combination of some people who don't ever play football and some more well trained teams, but everyone got involved and made the day.

"We had loads of spectators supporting both games and kids enjoying the bouncy castle and soft play, facepainting, glitter tattoos and games and all the sweets."

Before her death, Miss Griffiths was a big footie fan and played for Witham Ladies and Silver End Ladies.

Her friends continued: "Seeing everyone enjoying the day was lovely but knowing it was all for Kay was so overwhelming, some people who had never met Kay and people who had, it really shows how well loved she still is and how important awareness of CRY is.

"We want to make sure we keep Kayleigh's memory alive forever, just like we promised.

"And this is only one of the many events we will continue to organise and support for Kay who truly is such an important person to us both and always will be."

Plans are already being put into place to make the football match and fun day an annual event.