A FOOTBALL match is staged today to raise money for a family facing a continuing Greek legal battle after the death of their son.

Three Greek doctors were each sentenced to three years in jail in September over the death of Christopher Rochester, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

They were convicted of manslaughter by negligence for their failure to offer adequate treatment after Christopher fell 40ft from a hotel balcony on the holiday island of Rhodes in June 2000.

Following their conviction at a court in Rhodes, lawyers for the trio immediately lodged appeals.

Their sentences were suspended pending the appeal.

Christopher's mother and stepfather, Pam and George Cummings, have relied on the support and backing of local people to fund their legal battle and trips to Greece to attend the hearings.

They need £11,000 to meet legal costs and to travel to Rhodes for the appeal.

Mr Cummings said the fund had about £2,000, and said he hoped the appeal would not take place until well into the New Year.

He added that the family had been overwhelmed by the support of friends and the community in Chester-le-Street in backing the fund.

He will play in today's match, representing the "Trust Fund Geriatrics" against Waldridge Park Under-13s, at Chester-le-Street's Hermitage School.

There will also be stalls, tombola, bric-a-brac and refreshments. Admission is free, with a collection to be made on the sidelines.

The kick-off is 11am.