CLUBS UNITE FOR CHARITY FUNDRAISER

AN ON-GOING saga that started in January will finally reach a conclusion tomorrow (Monday 3) when Hitchin Town play host to Codicote in a fundraising friendly for SANDS, the stillbirth and neo natal death charity.

The two clubs got together after Alfie Barker – a player who was dual registered with Hitchin Town and Codicote – made offensive tweets about AFC Bournemouh player Harry Arter, who had a stillborn child.

Southern Premier Hitchin and Codicote, of Spartans South Midlands Division One, then found themselves caught up in a media frenzy before both theY cancelled Barker’s registration.

Hitchin moved to turn a negative into a positive by holding a collection for SANDS at a pay-what-youwant home game with Kings Langley, with a total of £480 with the Canaries’ Supporters Club and directors making it up to £700.

Sponsors Mastercars of Hitchin added a further £300 and an anonymous donor added a further £200.

Sands chief executive Dr Clea Harmer said: “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Hitchin Town Football Club. The funds raised will allow us to support parents whose babies have been stillborn or have died neonatally’’.

Hitchin Town and Codicote agreed in January to arrange to play a fundraising fixture for SANDS to take place at Hitchin’s Top Field ground tomorrow (ko 7.45pm)

All gate receipts from the pay-what-you-want event will go to SANDS.