A HAMPSHIRE rugby club has paid its annual tribute to a former member who was killed while serving with the armed forces in Bosnia.
Every year New Milton Rugby Club stages a fixture in memory of winger Stuart Wilson.
Mr Wilson was with the Royal Logistics Corps when he died in a road traffic accident two decades ago.
This year’s match was attended by his brothers Bob and Jim – who lost both his legs in a bomb blast in Afghanistan – and dad Wally.
A raffle and auction organised by comedy duo Paul Horscroft and Phil Hoyle raised £1,620 for the New Forest-based charity Pilgrims Bandits.
The charity was formed by veterans in 2007 to help servicemen recover from life-changing wounds.
But since then it has expanded and now aids injured civilians as well.
Wally Wilson, of Lymington, said: “It’s a wonderful club that came together after we lost Stuart 20 years ago and still remembers him every Boxing Day.
“Players young and old have a really fun game.
“Some weren’t even born when Stuart died but they still turn out and raise money.”
Wally added: “Over the years the club has raised many thousands of pounds for a number of military charities and we’re very grateful.
“Pilgrim Bandits does remarkable things for people who have been injured and the money will go to great use.”
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