A 24-HOUR five-a-side football tournament is to take place in memory of a Blackburn Rovers Ladies player.

The fundraiser is in aid of the Emma Mincher Foundation, which was set up after the 21-year-old mother-of-two passed away following a battle with ovarian cancer.

The event is being organised by former Blackburn Rovers Ladies player and RAF lance corporal Kaye Widdicombe, from Darwen, who said she wanted to raise money and awareness of cancer.

She said: “The charity is a small foundation, so every little helps and every penny is really important.

“Emma was a 21-year-old woman with her whole life ahead of her and she will be an inspiration on the day.”

Emma, who was known by her maiden name of McDougall to fans, joined Rovers from Fletcher Moss in 2008 and made 30 first team appearances for the Blackburn Rovers Ladies. However, she was forced to give up playing for the team when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 18. She had battled the disease three times before losing her fight in February.

Teams from across the RAF will be taking part in the footballing marathon, which will take place at RAF Benson, in Oxfordshire, on July 11.

The foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to raising awareness of ovarian cancer.

It is also a registered charity, with all funds going to Ovarian Cancer Research.

Kaye, 23, said: “I cannot wait for the tournament.

“I am anxious to see how it will go, but I am sure it will be a great day.

“It means a lot to me.

“Emma’s husband Stefan was over the moon when I told him what I was looking to do and he is trying to come down to collect the money we raise.

“I would like to raise £1,000, but anything more than that would be absolutely brilliant.”

For more information about sponsoring a player or to donate a raffle prize, call Kaye on 07703823892.