Fundraiser held in memory of Dave Ayers

Guests at the fundraiser, including Dave's children, Hattie and Louis Picture: Keith Woodland (170436-0009)

FRIENDS and family of a popular Portsmouth man have raised more than Â£4,000 in his memory.

Dave Ayers died of cancer last year, aged 57, leaving behind two children. His wife also died of cancer six years ago.

The last part of a two-day fundraising event was held on Saturday at Portsmouth Rugby Club, a venue where Dave was a prominent member of the club in the 1970s and 80s.

Michael Elias, a friend and one of the organisers of the event, said: ’I knew him for 40 years and part of the reason why the event was held at the rugby club is because he used to be part of this community.

Russ Baldwin, Mike 'Doyley' Elias, Paul Baldwin, part of the organising team Picture: Keith Woodland (170436-0003)

‘I feel proud to have been part of this and happy to raise the money for a worthy cause.’

Saturday’s fundraiser was attended by about 150 people, including Dave’s two teenage children, who came from Cheltenham where his family now lives.

About £3,000 was raised on the day through auctioning of items, raffle tickets and a diet challenge. The total, including the money raised the day before at another function, adds up to more than £4,000.

All the proceeds from the fundraiser are going towards the charity, Prostate Cancer UK.

The veteran RAF man was himself a recipient of an MBE for the services to charity.

In his charitable work he had organised fundraisers for the RAF.