Football stars line up in memory of baby Ernie
Football legends took to the pitch in Walsall in memory of tragic youngster Ernie Lee Allen-Bryan who died at the age of five months old.
A team of Rushall Olympic FC legends took on a team of Walsall FC legends on Sunday – with money raised going straight to The Donkey Sanctuary in Birmingham.
Five-month-old Ernie, who was the grandson of Rushall Olympic's chairman John Allen, died on March 5 this year.
He was described as a 'beautiful and blooming little boy'.
His uncle Nick Allen – who is also vice-chairman of Rushall Olympic FC – said: "The match was a great event. We want to say a big thank you to Steve Davies who organised all the Walsall Legends side, and also thank you to all the friends, families, supporters and volunteers on the day.
"It's been a difficult time for our family recently but the support we have had has been fantastic. We'd like this event to be an annual event as well."
He added: "We raised more than £1,000 on the day for the Donkey Sanctuary too - which was just fantastic."
The family said in a statement said: “Our Ernie will always be with us, he makes our family complete and we will always make Ernie proud in everything we do. Ernie was such a happy, smiling, beautiful, characterful, blooming little boy who brought such joy to everyone he touched in his special time with us. Family and friends know the long journey our little miracle made to be with us. He spent some happy family times at our football club and he will always be the brightest shining star in the galaxy.
Ernie enjoyed trips to The Donkey Sanctuary with his family – they said his favourite song was ‘Little Donkey’.
Set up in 1994, The Donkey Sanctuary is based in Sutton Park. It offers donkey-assisted therapy to local schoolchildren with additional needs as well as family days out for all of the family.
The charity match was held at the Dales Lane stadium on Sunday in Ernie's memory, with a score of 4-3 and a victory for Walsall Legends.
Visit rofc.co.uk/news/for-ernie--raising-funds-for-the-donkey-sanctuary to donate.
