Digging deep for Jamie down under!

A team of Australian footballers raised more than $7,000 Aussie dollars on Saturday for former Frome Town player Jamie Mines who lost a leg and both hands after a workplace accident.

Two friends and former teammates of the 33-year-old scaffolder who was electrocuted before Christmas - Matt Cooper and Ben Gascoigne - led manager Stuart Nairn and more than 20 players and coaches of Dee Why FC on the Sydney Morning Herald's 10K Dee Why to Manly Sun Run.

Gascoigne, 32, has known the former Robins striker since studying at Frome Town College and playing alongside him for Frome Town Sports Amateur FC while Cooper, 29, played with the father of twin baby girls at EVO-STIK League Southern Premier Division Frome Town back in 2006.

The duo, pictured, have been turning out for the Manly Warringah Football Association Premier Division outfit for the last five years and decided to act after hearing about fundraising efforts in England that have already seen more than £80,000 raised towards a £100,000 target to help the former Radstock, Larkhall and Paulton Rovers forward and his family adjust to life after injuries so severe he was forced to have three limbs amputated.

Former Frome Town star Jamie Mines

Former Frome Town star Jamie Mines

Cooper said: "I used to play football with him about 10 years ago. His world has changed forever and he needs all the financial support he can get for himself and his family. We may live on the other side of the world but I think people who read this will feel grateful for what they have and hopefully empathise with him."

Newcastle United and England football legend Alan Shearer recently sent a heartfelt video message to Mines and much more is still expected to be raised in the UK and Australia. Frome Town are hoping to add to the total on Sunday 19 March when they host an all-day 12-team charity tournament at their Berkley Road Special Effect Stadium.

Mines remains in intensive care after the industrial accident is being investigated by The Health and Safety Executive. As well as losing one leg, doctors were also forced to remove all the toes from his remaining foot in a series of operations to save his life after he was rescued from scafolding by firefighters and place in an induced coma.

For more information and to donate to the efforts down visit: http://www.mycause.com.au/page/143425/dee-why-running-for-jamie.
For more information and to donate visit to the UK campaign visit: http://www.gofundme.com/raising-money-for-jamie-mines.

Dee Why FC prepare to set off

Dee Why FC prepare to set off

Images courtesy of dyfc.com.au

Follow the EVO-STIK League Southern on Twitter at @SouthernLeague1

Dee Why's medallion men - and woman - after the run!

Where next?

Saturday's Central Division action review Royston Town`s lead at the top of the EVO-STIK League Southern's Division One Central table was cut to five points on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Saturday's Premier Division action review It`s as you were at the top of the EVO-STIK League Southern Premier Division table following Saturday`s round of matches, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

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