A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy will be walking a mile for every year of the staging of the famous Graham Edwards football tournament to raise money for charity.

George Alcock is the grandson of Wayn Martayn, chairman of the Gobowen-based football competition that has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Leukaemia research.

The trophy was launched in 1974 after the death of Graham Edwards, a promising young player who died from the disease, with many top local sides battling it out as part of pre-season.

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Carrie-Ann Martayn, Wayn’s daughter and George’s mum, said her son’s determination to contribute has filled her pride, but admitted that walking 50 miles was a consolation decision.

She said: “As many of you know, each year our little community comes together for the annual Graham Edwards Memorial trophy football tournament.

“This year the tournament will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.

“The tournament was started 50 years ago after Graham Edwards, a promising young footballer sadly died from Leukaemia.

“Since the tournament began £173,000 has been raised for Leukaemia research.

“This year George wanted to do his bit to help, he did have his heart set on a parachute jump but I managed to get him to agree to walking 50 miles throughout May.

“This is a mile for every year the tournament has been running.

“George will also be walking in memory of his Grandad Pops who sadly lost his battle in 2020 , so he will be taking his Grandad Pops Teddy out on his walks with him.”

She added: “I’m really proud of him for wanting to do this.

“It shows that the fundraising spirit for the trophy is alive in all generations and we hope it encourages others to do anything they can too.

“It is a great way to mark the milestone of 50 years as well.”

George has set an initial fundraising target of £400 and is already around two-thirds of the way to achieving that.

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However, anyone wishing to contribute to his cause can do so by donating to his Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carrieann-martayn-2

The Graham Edwards Memorial trophy is traditionally played at Gobowen Playing Fields during pre-season over July and August.

For more about the competition, head to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1344468106274564/