Walking netball match raises £1,600 for cancer charity

A WALKING netball match in Sonning Common raised £1,600 for a cancer charity.

Amanda Watkins-Cooke organised the game at the village primary school on Saturday in memory of her father James who died, age 71, from mesothelioma on October 18 last year.

The teams were the Sonning Common walking netballers and a walking football team from Rotherfield United FC for which Mr Watkins used to play.

The netballers won 18-14 and were presented with the inaugural James Watkins Trophy after the
40-minute game.

The players and spectators donated money for Mesothelioma UK.

Mrs Watkins-Cooke, who plays for the walking netballers along with her mother Jean, said the match was “brilliant”.

She said: “Despite their lack of on-court experience, the footballers played brilliantly and had plenty of possession but experience showed in the end. It was a good opportunity to raise money and have some fun at the same time.”

The trophy, which was sponsored by Chris Butler, of Pet and County Supplies in Wood Lane, was presented by Mrs Watkins.

The player of the match awards went to Pauline Jones, of the walking netballers, and Terry Durrant, of the walking footballers. All players received Mesothelioma UK wristbands and pin badges.

Mrs Watkins-Cooke said: “A special thank-you to Ian Massey and the walking footballers who were not just a great support when Dad was ill but afterwards too by raising significant funds for cancer-based charities.

“Thanks, too, to Penny Snowden, my boss at Active Leaders, who is always supportive of the ideas I come up with. Thank you to England netballer Jacob Kirby who took time out of his hectic training schedule to make a celebrity appearance for both teams.”

She also thanked Emily Norman, a year 11 pupil at Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School, for collecting money at the gate and the primary school for the use of the court.

Mr Massey said: “We had a great time and it was for a worthwhile cause.”

Mr Watkins grew up in Sonning Common and attended the primary school and Chiltern Edge School. He worked at the village hardware store Heath & Watkins in Wood Lane, which was co-founded by his father Ted. When Ted retired in 1990, Mr Watkins took over.

Mrs Watkins-Cooke said he had probably contacted mesothelioma from his work. She said: “Dad used to work in the workshop stripping out irons and hairdryers. He was meticulous about keeping his workspace clean and inhaled the spores. He first developed symptoms in December 2021 and in February 2022 we were told he had 18 months to two years to live. Despite his fitness levels and mental resilience, he lasted only eight months.”

Mrs Watkins-Cooke hopes to make the match an annual event with the previous year’s winners choosing the sport.