Oxford United legends were among the guests at a West Oxfordshire pub’s charity event that raised £15,000 for motor neurone research.

Former manager Denis Smith and Milk Cup winner Jeremy Charles were at The Three Horseshoes in Witney last week for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation fundraiser.

They were joined by Paul Moody, Les Robinson and Jamie Cook, who all played under Mr Smith when United last played in the second tier of English football in the late 1990s.

Also in attendance were former Liverpool great Graeme Souness and ex-Oxford United players George Lawrence, James Constable and Peter Rhoades-Brown.

(Image: Mike Dove)

The fundraiser was held in conjunction with former Ipswich Town and Sunderland striker Marcus Stewart, who was diagnosed with MND in late 2022.

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Mr Stewart and his wife, Louise, were guests of honour at the dinner and charity auction, which was organised by ownership team at The Three Horseshoes.

They said: “It was a fantastic event and it was great to be able to give something to such a deserving cause. 

“So many people were incredibly generous in donating auction items, including Ed Sheeran, who was happy to get involved.” 

The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation was formed by ex-Liverpool and Bolton footballer Stephen Darby and close friend Chris Rimmer.

Both have MND and created the foundation to increase awareness of the illness, fund research and provide grants and other support for sufferers and their families.