Football match in memory of hit-and-run victim

Chloe Mefford said she wanted her son to be able to see the world as his dad had wanted

Family, friends and teammates of a man killed in a suspected hit-and-run crash have come together to pay tribute at a charity match.

Tommy Hunter, 27, was found at the side of a road in Leicestershire on 11 December after he did not return home from a night out.

Organised by Springfield Sports Bar FC, who Mr Hunter played for, the event on Sunday raised funds for four-year-old-son Harrison to go to Lapland, where his father had planned to take him.

Louise Kersey, who was at the match in honour of her brother, said: "It's bittersweet because he would have loved today, but then it's just the reminder that he's not here when he should be here.

"I keep telling myself that he's not coming back and that bit's hard and at the centre of all of that, Tommy's little boy who's lost his dad, and it's him that everyone keeps going for."

There are plans for the match to become an annual event

Mr Hunter's sister Louise Kersey, pictured with her three sons, says she is still trying to come to terms with her brother's death

The football club said it planned to make the charity match in Mr Hunter's memory an annual event.

Club manager Darren Cooke said he was the "life and soul of the football team", adding: "He was the first one here and the last one to leave. He was absolutely amazing."

Chloe Mefford said Mr Hunter, from Newhall in Derbyshire, had a passion for travelling, with the family-of-three visiting many countries, including Egypt and Thailand.

"Tommy wanted Harrison to see the world and obviously I will make sure that is something I will do with Harrison," she said.

Tommy Hunter's partner, Chloe Mefford, wants someone to come forward with information about his death

In December, Leicestershire Police said they had arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, who was released under investigation.

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