Footballers' tribute to cancer victim
Fundraisers will be pulling on their football boots on Sunday in memory of a well-known Brierley Hill shopkeeper who lost her battle with cancer.
Family of Surjeet Kaur Bedi are staging the kickabout as a tribute to her courage and to generate cash for two worthy causes.
The mother-of-four died in April last year after a brave year-and-a-half fight with the disease.
Mrs Bedi, aged 56, who was married to Gurcharan Singh Bedi, used to help run the family shop called Bedi Store, in Church Street.
In 1991 she was commended for her bravery by a crown court judge after using a pair of scissors to scare off an armed robber in the shop.
Now her son Gagandeep, who is aged 32, and an officer at Halesowen police station, has organised the charity match between players from the West Midlands Police team and the Dudley Sports club.
All the money raised by the 11-a-side game, which kicks off at noon, and a fun day will be donated to The Mary Stevens Hospice and Cancer Support at the White House, Ednam Road, Dudley.
Husband, Gurcharan, of John Street, Brierley Hill, said: "My wife was a kind woman, who never complained, and loved her family." Sunday's event will take place at Dudley Sports & Social club. Last year's match between players from the West Midlands Police team and the Dudley Sports club finished 4-1 to Dudley Sports.
The event raised £2,000 which was split between the two charities.
Mrs Bedi was awarded £100 from public funds following her commendation by Judge Michael Mott who described her actions as "brave".
Her husband also employed the same method a year later and sent robbers packing from the shop in Church Street.
Cancer Support Dudley provides practical help, emotional support and information for people with cancer and those who care for them.
Their services include providing transport to help patients to get to and from hospital for their treatment.
