Cumbria Police raised nearly £900 for charity last week with its annual football tournament in memory of PC Bill Barker. 

On Friday, September 29 officers and staff raised £893.40 for Great North Air Ambulance Service - the chosen charity of Bill Barker.

Bill sadly died during the Cumbria floods in 2009, saving the lives of many people by guiding them away from the crumbling Northside Bridge in Workington when it gave way beneath him.

The officer, from Egremont, served with Cumbria Police for 25 years and left a wife and four children.

The tournament involved teams from policing teams in North and West Cumbria and a team from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at Sellafield.

Following some closely contested fixtures, it was the North team that were presented with the Bill Barker Memorial Trophy by Bill’s wife, Hazel Barker.

Funds were raised for Bill's chosen charity through the matches and a raffle, with an impressive total raised in what was the tournament's 10th competitive year. 

Steve Usher, who organised the event, said: "The tournament is a great way to remember Bill, who continues to be missed by all that knew him.

“Friday was a great day for all those involved and thank you to those who supported us in being able to raise so much money for Bill’s chosen charity the Great North Air Ambulance.

"I’d also like to thank Whitehaven Amateurs FC for allowing us to use their facilities again and the organisations that kindly donated raffle prizes.

"We have also had the continued support from Hazel Barker and the rest of Bill’s family in this annual tournament in his memory."

The North team secured the trophy after beating the West team 1-0 and CNC Sellafield 3-2, with CNC Sellafield winning 4-1 against the West team in the other fixture.