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Sports editor memorial fund nets cash for big event

A fund to help disabled sportsmen and women in West Dorset has been set up in memory of former Bridport News sports editor Terry Collin, who died suddenly in 2002.

The Terry Collin Fund has already donated £2,000 to swimmer Lulu Cummings, who has high hopes in the Deaflympics in Melbourne next year, and £2,000 to Bridport Football Club for disabled seating.

  • Terry Collin
  • A further £2,500 was raised at awards evening and auction of sporting pledges and memorabilia, organised by the editor of the News, Margery Hookings.

    She said there had been an overwhelming response from people who wanted to pay tribute to Terry’s memory.

    She said: “He would have loved it, seeing lots of familiar faces, people with one thing in common – sport.

    “What’s exciting for me is that is probably the first time that so many different sports in West Dorset have come together socially – and this will be an annual event.”

    Ten people were nominated for the Terry Collin Trophy, which went to Terry’s old school friend and footballing pal Brian Page, of Beaminster. The first recipient of the trophy, Brian has been at the hub of Beaminster sport for over 40 years as a footballer, cricketer and administrator.

    All the nominees had played a key role in their respective clubs and sports. The decision was reached by totting up the votes of a small panel, whose members had each been given copies of the nominations and asked to make their selection independently.

    After the ceremony, at Bridport’s Beehive Club, home of Bridport Football Club, an auction of sporting pledges and memorabilia coined in nearly £2,000.

    The top lot was a rowing vest signed by James Cracknell and Matthew Pincent, which went for £500. A Day at the Races on February 14, courtesy of Tote chairman Peter Jones, of Melplash, fetched £235.

    A Six Nations rugby shirt signed by Jonny Wilkinson was sold for £100 and a Bath rugby signed by players reached £155.

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