A SPECIAL charity fundraising Tennis tournament raised over £2,000 for The Alzheimers Society.

It was organised by Craig Whymark, better known to Harlow residents as Fanny Galore.

Craig is the son of former Ipswich Town legend Trevor Whymark, who is living with Alzheimers.

His father and mother Rita attended the event at the Harlow Lawn Tennis Club.

Craig described how his dad, who had travelled down with Rita from their Norfolk home, was on ‘top form’ during the day and walked round watching the matches, not leaving until the end.

They were joined by relatives and players from the tennis club in a 130-strong turnout.

Craig hosted the event as his alter-ego, drag queen Fanny Galore and the format involved players being partnered for a 20 minute doubles match, before a horn was sounded, scores were taken and players partnered up again for another match.

The men’s winner was Darren Lee, while Fanny won the women’s tournament, but generously declined the award and gave it instead to Craig’s sister Kim.

There was also a fundraising raffle with a range of prizes, including tickets for a West Ham vs Brighton football match, restaurant vouchers and a Fortnum and Mason hamper.

“My mum and dad were among the first to turn up, which was lovely because they could be there before everybody turned up and dad was really excited to be there.”

In April, it was revealed how the striker, who scored 75 goals for Town, was living with Azheimer’s, which destroys memory and thinking skills.

His family believed his ability and reputation as one of the finest headers of a football in the First Division could have been a factor in the onset of the disease.

The money from the tournament will be added to money already raised, including through his own shows, with the appeal’s Just Giving page showing that £10,706 has been collected so far.