CELEBRITIES are joining forces to take part in a charity football match in memory of a young dad who died of leukaemia.

Married father-of-three Mr Saunders, 24, of Steeple Hall, Pitsea, died in June after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia.

The match, organised by Mr Saunders’s family, is set to take place on Sunday, August 17, at Thurrock Football Club’s ground in Ship Lane, Aveley.

A Jamie Saunders XI will play a Thurrock XI, with all proceeds going to leukaemia charities.

Gates open at noon and there will be a raffle, including a signed Pele New York Cosmos shirt and a signed Diego Maradonna Argentina shirt.

The game will kick off at 3pm, with half-time entertainment being provided by the Santoy Dancing School from Basildon.

The teams will feature Thurrock players past and present, Jamie’s friends and celebrities.

The celebrities include DJ Brandon Block, five times women’s world champion boxer Jane Couch MBE, former gangster Dave Courtney, Jason Cundy (ex-Chelsea and Tottenham), former gangster Carlton Leach, Paul Parker (ex-QPR, Manchester United and England), a Premiership referee and more to be confirmed.

Tickets on the gate are £5 for adults and £1 for children.