Friends bid to raise cash for funeral of man found dead in Portsmouth

More than 70 people will get together tomorrow at Priory School in Southsea in memory of Chrissy Denman, 40, from Landport, who was found dead on a grassed area in Lake Road, Landport, earlier this month.

Family friends James Kerridge and Jimmy Wall are organising the football event, which will take place at Priory School in Southsea from 5pm to 8pm.

Mr Kerridge, from Portsea, said: ‘So far we’ve got about 70 people coming along to play already and more are welcome.

‘Each player is asked to donate £10 in order to cover the costs of the funeral and help the family out.

‘We have an 11-a-side pitch and there will be a lot of football going on with 20-minute, roll-on, roll-off games.

‘We’d like as many people as possible to come down and raise money in Chrissy’s memory.’

Mr Kerridge paid tribute to Chrissy, saying he was a popular man with a lot of friends, but who struggled with depression.

He said Chrissy went to St Luke’s School – now Charter Academy – and had always loved football.

Mr Kerridge said: ‘He was a mad keen Manchester United fan.

‘In his spare time he like to relax with his PlayStation. He worked at a butcher’s and it’s a job that he loved.’

Mr Kerridge said Chrissy lost his job a few weeks before he died.

His brother Jamie Denman said he wanted to thank everyone for their support, including his partner, Karen Frize.

He said: ‘I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me and my family. I think Chrissy would have been proud of the way everyone has pulled together.

‘He also might have been surprised to find out just how many people cared about him. He was obviously hurting, but I think he’s in a better place now.’

Friends are raising money for the funeral online at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/jamie-denman.

So far, £1,800 has already been raised towards an overall goal of £4,000.

Mr Kerridge said: ‘We’d like to thank everybody who has already donated, including Johnny Madden, who got the ball rolling. And a big thank you to the Portsea boys and the Milton lads for sticking together.’

Anyone who is interested in taking part in the football fundraiser can call Mr Kerridge on 07881 821407.