A day of fundraising helped a Mansfield deaf footballer achieve his dream goal of taking part in a major tournament.

Fidler & Pepper Lawyers staff raised £2,000 when they held events on behalf of Alex Smith (29), who was selected for England Deaf Men in the European Championships in Crete.

Staff donned football kits and held raffles as part of the fundraising, organised by staff member Beth Hibbert, who is a close friend of Alex.

Beth said: “We wanted to help out a friend, and raise some money as the trip has to be self-funded. Fidler & Pepper really supported the day and I’m so proud that we raised so much money.”

Alex, a former personal trainer, works at HAE at East Midlands Airport.

He said: “I’m really grateful to everybody who helped me to take part in this tournament. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me.”