A group of big-hearted folk at a local football club have united to put on an afternoon and evening of Halloween fun for families this October half-term in support of a Gloucestershire hospice.

Alan Wakefield has been a member of Cheltenham Civil Service Football Club on Tewkesbury Road in Cheltenham for over 40 years as a player, manager and chairman.

After losing his wife, Angie, to cancer in March 2017, Alan has been passionately raising funds with support of friends, family and the club for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, who cared for Angie.

Together they have so far raised a staggering £22,600 for the hospice through a range of events and fundraisers, and they hope their latest event - a day of Halloween-themed children's and adults' parties on Saturday, October 23rd - will raise further much-needed funds for the Gloucestershire hospice.

Named 'Gingeoween' in tribute to flame-haired Angie, the fun kicks off at 1pm with a children's Halloween party offering Halloween inspired party games, DJ, a fancy dress competition, Halloween themed lucky dip, magic show with Showtime Shane, glitter tattoos and face painting.

From 6pm adults take centre position, enjoying live music from local band 'Indigo', music from DJ Funky Dunc and an adults' Halloween fancy dress competition with prizes for the best and worst dressed.

The support means a lot to Alan. He said: "The fundraising is really special for me as it is all in Angie's memory. If Angie could see all this amazing support I think for the first time ever she would be speechless. I honestly don't think she would believe the amount of support we have had since she died. I think she would be flabbergasted we were all doing this in remembrance of her and helping Sue Ryder. She would be so chuffed."

Alan added: "I want to thank everyone who supports us in all we do, especially the GingeFest committee who work so hard to put on these family-friendly fundraisers. They work so hard to make them happen and it's fun for all the family.

"The team at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice were phenomenal in their care of my Angie. I can't put into words how great they all were, from the consultants to the nursing team to the cooks and cleaners. They were all brilliant. I know that their care can only continue with donations, which is what motivated us all to start fundraising. I hope the funds we are raising will help people going through the same thing we were."

Alysia Cameron-Price, community fundraising manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: 'We are so grateful for the GingeFest team's fantastic fundraising. Gingeoween is the perfect way to kick-start the October half-term with friends and family - so please do get your tickets asap so you can enjoy the family friendly spooky spectacle.

"As a charity, we rely on donations from local fundraising groups like the GingeFest committee to help us give people the expert care they need, so that their final days can be full of love."

The Gingeoween children's party between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday 23rd October is suitable for children under 11 and under 3s go free. Children's tickets cost £5.

The Gingeoween adult party takes place from 6pm until 11pm with adult tickets costing £8 with all proceeds going to Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

Tickets are available at gingefest.com/events  or from Cotswold Civil Service Club, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham.

For more information on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice visit sueryder.org/leckhampton