Charity match raises £2,000 for Simon Dobbin and his supporters

A charity football match has raised more than £2,000 in support of Simon Dobbin, the Cambridge United fan from Mildenhall who was left with catastrophic brain injuries when he was attacked by thugs after an away game back in 2015, and those who helped his family.

The match, held at Ely City’s stadium on Sunday, was organised by Cambridge Utd supporter Dave Boughtwood Eason, who was so moved by Simon’s story, he wanted to do something to help.

This was the second charity match he had organised and involved an Arsenal Charity XI against Team Dobbin/Cambridge Utd.

Also benefiting from the match will be Owen Coleman, from Lakenheath, whose dad Ady gave up nine days of paid work to help the DIY SOS makeover of Simon’s home and the Ryan Smith Foundation, based in Lincolnshire, and set up by Ryan’s family after he was seriously injured when, at 17, he was involved in an accident riding his bike.

The foundation provided financial support for the Dobbin family and advice on how to care for him at home when he left hospital.