WEDDING GIFT: Football star Tommy Smith and bride Nina Salter on their wedding day on June 18 this year
LOCAL football star Tommy Smith has provided the Dig Deep campaign with a welcome wedding gift this week.
The Derby County forward, and former Hemel Hemsptead School pupil, decided to show his support for the Hospice of St Francis by getting guests at his recent wedding to make contributions to charity rather than offering wedding presents.
The ex-Watford player Tommy and his wife Nina Salter, originally from Kings Langley, got married in Potten End on June 18 this year and decided to split the cash they raised between the hospice and Breast Cancer Research.
Tommy said: "We thought it was a good idea for everyone to
donate something. We asked if people instead of giving wedding presents could give us cheques and whatever we got we would split.
"We've just got the money together and managed to raise more than £2,500.I was really surprised. Lots of people were very generous in what they gave which was really nice."
Tommy's decision to support the hospice reflects a strong family link.
He said: "Both my nans, Edwina Smith and Beryl Goodhew, do volunteer work for the hospice and my granddad was in
there for a few days last year before he passed away."
His grandmother, Edwina Smith, was the first hospice volunteer when the inpatient unit opened on September 6, 1986, and is now chairman of the fundraising committee.
She said: "Tommy said he would particularly like the money to go towards the hospice's new building and he's hoping that other couples will do the same."
Tommy added: "I definitely hope they get the new hospice. I know all about the great way people are treated in there and the care the hospice provides and if they can get the money for the new place then they can help even more people. Fingers crossed they can do it."
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