Match to be played in memory of fallen hero

A flypast from a Spitfire is planned to announce the arrival on the rugby pitch of two teams taking part in a match to mark ten years since the death of a hero soldier killed in Afghanistan.

The match is in memory of Corporal Ivano ‘Sean’ Violino, of Newark, who was killed, aged 29, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in September 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated under a vehicle in which he was travelling.

The events at Newark Rugby Club’s Kelham Road ground a week on Saturday (September 9) are open to the public to pay their respects to father-of-two Sean and the other British Forces personnel who lost their lives in the war, whether they have a military connection or not.

Sean’s sister, Sinel Loveday, of Newark, said: “I am so looking forward to the event and hope people will come out and support us.

“It has been a challenge to organise, but doing it has helped give the family focus.

“Sean’s 40th birthday would have been in January, so we figured that holding this event would also give us a chance to catch up with Sean’s friends from the Forces and to thank them for all that they have done over the years, tending to Sean’s grave.”

Gates open at 11.30am.

It is free but donations to Armed Forces charities SSAFA, which provides welfare and support for serving veterans and their families, and Newark Patriotic Fund, which provides similar support locally, are encouraged.

Jayne Darling, a 1940s-style singer, will perform at noon.

The day has a 1940s theme with prizes for the best dressed.

Corporal Violino, who has many family members in Newark, was with 36 Engineer Regiment.

A team from his unit will take on players from Newark Rugby Club’s 3rd and 4th teams.

'Sean will always be remembered throughout his regiment'

Weather and timing-permitting, the players will take to the field around the time that the Spitfire from the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight passes overhead.

At around 4.30pm there will be a balloon release and people are encouraged to write a tribute to a loved one who has died that will be attached to one of the balloons.

The raffle will be drawn around the same time and the prizes for best dressed man, woman and child presented.

Among the raffle prizes are three dolls knitted especially for the event by Vivienne Membride, of NV US Cards on Cartergate.

One is of a rugby player, another of a soldier and the third is Sean in his Royal Engineers dress uniform that was produced from a photograph of him.

Other prizes include a 10ft trampoline with enclosure, a flight simulator experience, vouchers for Eden Hall Day Spa including a three-course lunch, paintballing, and a Vulcan virtual experience.

Sinel said: “We would like to thank all of those who have donated and supported us with the event so far.

“The shops have been a really big support."

The rugby club bar will be open and there will be a number of activities happening around the rugby, such as inflatables for the children.

Sean’s regiment organise a rugby match that is contested annually between sappers and non-commissioned officers and is called the Violino Cup.

“It is nice to know that Sean will always be remembered throughout his regiment,” Sinel said.