THE ninth Devon FA Son-Rise Cup football festival is to be hosted by Tavistock Community Sports Centre and Tavistock AFC on May 24, 25 and 26. Now spread over the days we can all celebrate the disability footballers on Bank Holiday Monday where the Tavispecials play Newton Soccability FC for the Karen Bell cup kicking off at 11am on Langsford Park. Then at 2pm Tavistock Tyres led by Wayne Downham will take on the Market Inn, managed by Pete Gibson, playing for the original trophy which was made in 2005. This match will see the teams celebrating the World Cup year in Rio de Janiero and the teams will don the Brazil first team colours and the England away strip, with the match officials being appointed by the Devon FA. The event, which started to help a local boy with severe autism, has now grown to become the biggest and most popular football festival in the West of England and helps many children and young adults with disabilities, special needs and behaviour problems. The mainstream footballers who take part year after year love the event and it's great for the whole town. Caterers and a licenced bar will be on site with some popular music to create a great atmosphere! The men's seven-a-side tournament is the biggest so far with 36 teams entered; the ladies too is hoped to be the biggest yet! Twenty four referees are booked as match officials and a professional team will be organising the event. Acknowledged and supported by the FA Respect Campaign, the event brings good publicity for football as so many people have been helped over the years from the support the Son-Rise cup committee, led by chairman Robin Rich, vice chairman Shaun Moloney, secretary Di Thomas and treasurer Sheena Lewis. In the past year Childrens' Hospice SW, Children with Cancer UK, Help for Heroes, Devon Air Ambulance , Injured Servicemen and local people who have had personal illnesses and problems have been supported by the cause. This year charity is Action4autism which is promoting, through website and advertising, autism awareness to help support and direct families who have children diagnosed with the condition. When a child is diagnosed with the condition many parents have no idea what to do or where to go for help and that is why Action4autism was set up. The Son-Rise cup committee thank all the sponsors who continue to support this community event and hope to see lots of people attend. n For more information go to the websites at http://www.sonrisecup.co.uk">www.sonrisecup.co.uk http://www.action4autism.co.uk">www.action4autism.co.uk

TAVISTOCK Specials Football Club are 'over the moon' after receiving a £1,000 grant from the BBC Sports Relief fundraiser. Cathy Sharp, a trustee and joint founder of the Tavi Specials, said: 'The grant of £1,000 from Sport Relief Community Grant Fund is fantastic news. The Tavi Specials FC provides so much more than just a game of football to a great group of disabled, disadvantaged and special needs young people and adults in the Tavistock area. 'Without these grants the dedicated team of volunteers led by Sheena and Allen Lewis, head coaches Will Reed, Sue Hammond and welfare officer Billy Venning, would not be able to keep the club going. The funding will help towards pitch hire, training and transport to tournaments. So it's a big thank you!'