GUERNSEY is playing its part in a nationwide charity appeal. On Saturday, fund-raising for the Wessex Neurological Unit continued with a charity gig at the Bowl.

It was organised by Ollie Smith, the young footballer who was treated at the centre after collapsing last year while on trials at Premiership Southampton.

Two UK bands joined local and Jersey acts to raise money for the Smile4Rich appeal, which is trying to raise £80,000 to buy a specially-equipped ambulance for the centre.

Earlier in the year, Ollie and dad Glyn raised £3,750 though a sponsored half-marathon.

‘Locally we want to raise £8,000 this year for the appeal. We got £3,750 from the half marathon and we hope we can get £3,500 from this gig,’ said Glyn.

‘We wanted to put on an event where people could enjoy themselves and have a good time while doing something for charity. Everything has gone to plan and we’ve had a good turnout.’

Ollie was pleased with the event: ‘I’ve really enjoyed today – chilling out with my friends while knowing we’re doing something for a really good cause, a cause which helped me so much.’

He has now been given the all-clear by medics in Southampton and has been training hard at his other passion, football.

‘My fitness is coming back and I just need a few games under my belt before I get back to my top level.’

At the gig was Smile4Rich founder Nick Bowler, whose son, Richard, died in July 2002, aged 15, after suffering a brain haemorrhage while playing football in a Southampton park.

The Wessex Neurological Unit was unable to save Rich because of the severe nature of the condition.

Mr Bowler originally held an informal raffle to raise money for some new benches at the recreation ground where Rich died. Needing £1,500, he got £12,000. They were able to buy more equipment for Rich’s football club and his former primary school.

‘We thought it would be nice to keep it going and raise money for the hospital. We came up with the smile concept because Rich was always happy and bubbly and lots of his friends commented that he always used to be smiling. It’s also a nice reminder for us – every time we see a smile, we think of Rich.’

The fund-raising continued last year with a football fun day between Portsmouth and Southampton sides, with £16,000 raised to split between the Portsmouth Rocky cancer appeal and the Wessex Neurological Unit.

Now Smile4Rich is the official charity of the unit and raises money solely for the centre.

‘We’re pleased Ollie’s story had a happier ending. We need people like Ollie’s family to raise money, because the unit covers a wide area and we need as much help as possible. I’m hoping people from all areas will do this sort of thing. It’s really great the way the Smiths have led the way.’

Gig-goer David Longan, 16, said: ‘It’s been very well organised, it’s been really good and, of course, it’s all for a good cause.’

UK bands My Awesome Compilation and Sopho-more were happy to help.

‘We play across the UK and go wherever we can to play gigs. We’ve just been in Jersey and it’s great to come here and play – especially in a charity gig,’ said My Awesome Compilation bassist and vocalist Darius Cobb.

Visit www.smile4rich.co. uk for appeal details.