A FOOTBALLING hero and a soap star will help raise money for those who tried to save the life of a young man after a horrific car crash.

The event is also being backed by the Lancashire Telegraph, as part of the Wasted Lives campaign, after the family of Ashley Connell helped us to raise more than 1,000 signatures for our petition.

Ashley, 23, of Knowsley Road, Wilpshire, died when the Honda Civic Type R he was a passenger in ploughed into a parked vehicle near the Spread Eagle pub, Mellor in April.

Former Blackburn Rovers striker Kevin Gallacher and Hollyoaks' Suzanne Hall (Suzanne Ashworth), who both know family friends, will attend the event at Langho football club's ground, Longsight Road.

Other attractions will include a Pirelli simulator, sumo wresting, a football and pool tournament, a tug-of-war contest and prizes to be won in raffles and tombolas.

Ashley's favourite band, The Moneyshot, led by his cousin Paul Clarkson, will also appear.

Ashley's friends Christian Gillibrand, 20, of Ramsgreave Road, Blackburn, Sam Litherland, 21, of Longsight Road, Copster Green, Ashley Fielding, 25, of Whalley Banks, Whalley, and Julian Hollins, 23, of Ribchester Road, Blackburn, also sustained serious injuries in the crash.

The crash victims were flown to hospital by the North West Air Ambulance.

The emergency service, along with the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury - which gave Ashley vital treatment when he was a baby - is to benefit from the proceeds of the event on Saturday, August 4, starting at 2pm.

Organisers are urging people to attend the event to sign the Wasted Lives petition.

The campaign is aimed at cutting the carnage on our roads by encouraging young drivers to slow down and act more responsibly while behind the wheel.

Ann Hollins, mother of Julian, said: "We wanted to hold this event in memory of Ashley, who we all miss so much.

"The emergency services, especially the air ambulance, did so much to help all of those who were hurt in the crash and we wanted to be able to do something for them.

"It also gives us the chance to promote the Wasted Lives campaign.

"We want everyone who comes down to sign the petition in memory of Ash, to hopefully prevent other people dying on the roads."