ARSENAL football stars have helped raise thousands of pounds for a Hatfield-based charity. A six-a-side knock-out competition held at the Arsenal FC training ground in London Colney raised �4,000 for the Willow Foundation, a national charity for seriously

ARSENAL football stars have helped raise thousands of pounds for a Hatfield-based charity.

A six-a-side knock-out competition held at the Arsenal FC training ground in London Colney raised �4,000 for the Willow Foundation, a national charity for seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds.

A team of Greenwich University students organised the event and, as well as former Gunners Ray Parlour and Bob Wilson, current club heroes Theo Walcott, Manuel Almunia and Tomas Rosicky also made a surprise appearance.

England team physio Gary Lewin oversaw the running of the tournament.

His daughter Vicki, one of the student organisers, said it was a great day.

She added: "What a surprise to see the Arsenal players - they posed for photos and they really made the day special."

Tournament winner Tonbridge Reunion sailed through the competition and were awarded first prize of tickets to see England take on Slovakia at Wembley Stadium this month.

An auction of signed Arsenal shirts helped raise a total of �4,314, all of which will go towards the Willow Foundation, which organises special days for seriously ill young adults.

The Willow Foundation was set up by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson and wife Megs 10 years ago in memory of their daughter Anna, who died of cancer aged 31.