A FUNDRAISING football match will be held later this year for a former Southend United player who became a popular member of squads at a number of non-League clubs in the area, including East Thurrock United and Tilbury.

James Walker, who is 35, was stricken by a life-changing cardiac arrest in February 2019.

After leaving professional football, James decided he wanted to use his skills to put something back into the community. He joined Ramsden Hall Academy, a secondary school in Billericay for boys with special needs, as a learning support teacher with the aim of helping the boys to develop their social skills as well as their academic achievements.

He was a very popular member of staff, matching his rapport with the children that he had with football supporters across the region where he was always close to the fans.

James Walker at Ramsden Hall Academy.

He had also recently been recognised for his work with young people and honoured with a Jack Petchey Foundation award.

James, who has three daughters, has always had a diagnosed heart condition but it was managed and he was able to play football unhundered.

However, during a PE lesson at Ramsden Hall in February 2019 James was demonstrating a somersault to his class when he suffered a massive cardiac arrest which, for a period, stopped all blood flow to his brain.

James was in a coma for 15 days and it was touch and go as to whether he would survive, but he survived though with physical and mental impairments.

Though James can now walk and move about freely he cannot look after himself, and lives in a 24-hour care home in Southend.

All food and drink is taken via a stent in his stomach.

James's mum Dawn helps him with some rehabilitation, and he receives limited therapy session help from the halth services, but Dawn wants him to receive more regular such help to encourage him to move forward.= and improve his quality of life.

Therefore a fundraising effort has been set up on his behalf and a benefit match has been arranged for Sunday, 28 May at Bowers & Pitsea's Len Salmon Stadium on Crown Avenue, Pitsea.

The match will be between a team including various former Southend United players against a charity team known as Farke Knight Rises CFC. Former Southend players Steve Tilson, Adam Barrett and Lee Barnard have already signed up.

James's family intend to take him to the match and be by his side to kick the game off.

James is a member of the Southend United Ex Players Association (SUEPA) which is part of the Shrimpers Trust which has organised the event and kicked off the fundraising with a £500 donation.

A support event arranged by James's former teammate Damian Scannell will also be arranged and it is hoped to acquire some sporting memorabilia to auction to raise further monies.

You can purchase tickets for the match, £5 for adults or £2 for under 16s. via this link.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from the Shrimpers Trust stall in the Shrimpers Bar at Roots Hall before kick-off on first team match days.

You can make a separate donation online here.

James began his career as a youth player at Charlton Athletic, though he never played for the first team - spending time with Hartlepoool, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Notts County and Yeovil before joining Southend on loan.

His move to the Shrimpers became permanent in 2008 and in total he played 45 matches for them.

James in his Tilbury kit.

Brief spells at another couple of league clubs followed before he moved into non-League and played with Woking, Dover, Eastbourne Borough and Bishops Stortford before joining East Thurrock United in 2015 where he went on to play 58 matches, his longest spell at any one club.

During his time at Rookery Hill he helped Rocks win promotion to the National League South.

Later he played for Canvey Island and Maldon before joining Tilbury, where he was signed at the time of his cardiac arrest.

He also gained international recognition in his career, playing twice for Ungland Under 18s and once for Antigua and Barbuda.