BEN FUND DONATION FROM NIGEL’S DAY

NIGEL Pearson’s family will be making a special presentation prior to Monday’s Olympique Individual meeting at Wolverhampton.

An incredible total of £9,489.87 was raised from a combination of sponsorship, raffle and auction at the charity event which took place at Wombourne Cricket Club last month and attracted a huge turnout in Nigel’s memory.

One of the aims of the event was to raise funds to purchase a commemorative bench at the club, and this will now be in place at the start of the new season next spring, along with a memorial plaque.

It was also confirmed beforehand that a donation would be made to the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund, and we are delighted to announce a cheque for £4,000 will be presented on Monday.

In addition, there will be a further £1,000 donation made to former British Champion Charles Wright, who was seriously injured in a crash in Poland recently.

Nigel’s wife Kerrie said: “We were absolutely overwhelmed with the level of support the event received, and we can’t thank everyone enough for turning out on the day.

“We were blessed with good weather and to everyone who got involved with the cricket, the darts, or who came along for the social occasion and contributed in any way, we really appreciate it.

“We wanted to put on an event which everyone could enjoy as well as hopefully raise some money, and I think as it turned out it was exactly the kind of event Nigel would have loved being a part of himself.

“The Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund was of course a charity very close to his heart, and we also wanted to do something for Charles, especially because he rode for Belle Vue which is our son Liam’s favourite track. Liam loved it when Nigel took him up to Manchester on the ‘Dad and Lad Tour,’ so we felt this was very appropriate too.

“I’d like to thank Chris Van Straaten for his support and for allowing us to make the presentation at the start of the first of two big meetings coming up for him.

“Nigel would have been absolutely distraught to hear that Wolverhampton have to move out of Monmore Green, he loved working there for many years, and I wish Chris and his team well with their efforts to relocate.”

Kerrie and all the team behind the event would also like to place on record their thanks to photographer Phil McGlynn for his hard work on the day.