Charity football match in Thetford to celebrate life of mother-of-two Nikki Cross, who was ‘loved by everyone’

Nikki Cross. Picture: Fisher family (Image: Archant)

Nikki Cross, nee Evans, grew up in Thetford and was a member of Rosemary Musker High School's class of 1994.

The family of Nikki Cross are holding a charity event to celebrate her life and raise money for charity. Pictured are: Karon Fisher, centre, holding a picture of her daughter Nikki, with Nikki's sisters, Sarah Butler, back right, and her son Charlie, five; and Rachelle Jeffrey, and her two-year-old daughter. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Described as 'fun and full of love', she later moved to Hemel Hempstead and was tragically killed at her home in September 2015.

To bring together her old friends and to remember the 37-year-old, a charity football match between former rival high schools Rosemary Musker and Charles Burrell will be held at Thetford Town Football Club.

Her sister Sarah Butler said: 'Nik was not an easy person to forget once you met her. When we had a day with Nikki, we were exhausted through laughing. It was always fun.

'She just loved everyone. There was not one negative thing about Nikki whatsoever.'

During the match there will be live music from local acts including Alton Wahlberg, Ben Wheatley and Kevin Durrant.

Wish bracelets made by Mrs Butler and her five-year-old son Charlie and angel wing keyrings made by Mrs Fisher will be available to buy, with all proceeds going to charity.

There will also be karaoke, face painting and a chance to look at old photographers and write down memories of Mrs Cross.

These will then be given to her husband and children.

Her mother Karon Fisher, who lives in Thetford, said: 'I spoke to a group of her friends who said Nikki was so funny at school and I thought: 'It's so nice to hear what her friends had to say.'

'And you suddenly think, there are so many memories and stories from school that we would love to hear about.'

Speaking about her daughter, she added: 'Nikki was so full of love and she was a whirlwind of fun. She never had a bad word to say about anybody and I am not just saying that.'

The event, on Friday, September 8 from 6.45pm, has been organised by two of Mrs Cross' school friends, Andrew Kerling and Stewart Saleh.

Mr Kerling said: 'We just got chatting one day and just thought we sound so something because this is where Nikki grew up.

'I just remember her as a sweet girl. You would not find anyone who would say a bad word about her.

'I have been overwhelmed. When you have something like this you see what community spirit Thetford has.'

Mr Saleh added: 'She just fitted in with everybody. She was just a good girl.'

A raffle of prizes donated by local businesses and organisations, including spa trips, meals at restaurants and signed books, will raise money for the charities Victim Support and Support after Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM).

Miss Fisher, 62, added: 'Still to this day people say they love her and miss her and cannot believe what happened.

'The friends around here have been amazing. Even now people text to see how you are and it is just amazing.'

For more information about the event visit Nikki Cross Memorial Football Match on Facebook.

To find out about the charities visit Victim Support and Support after Murder and Manslaughter