A CHARITY set up to honour an Ely born soldier who was killed in Afghanistan is due to get a boost this summer, from a 48-hour fishing marathon that aims to catch 1000lb of fish.

Former England footballer and TV pundit Gary Lineker has already pledged his support for the event, and there are hopes that TV host Chris Tarrant will also get involved.

Nikki Scott set up the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers after her husband Corporal Lee Scott was killed by a roadside bomb.

Corporal Scott, of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, was born and went to school in Ely before moving to King’s Lynn. He was 26 when he died, in July 2009.

The charity set up by wife Nikki offers days out and birthday and Christmas gifts for forces children who have lost a parent. She is hoping to raise �450,000 to provide a trio of holiday homes to offer a break to bereaved families.

Steve Vigar of Southery is organising the Fishathon between May 2 and 6, for Scotty’s Little Soldiers. Previous similar events have raised around �12,000 for children’s charities.

Steve said: “The basic idea behind the event is to stage a 48 hour non stop fish, during which we have to attempt to catch 1000lb of fish. We are also planning a family day, quiz night, football match, and a five hour fishing match.

“We are also hoping to put on a charity auction, offering a range of lots including signed footballs, signed shirts, tickets to race days, signed photos and books.

“At the last auction we raised in the region of �3,000, with celebrities including Terry Wogan and Chris Tarrant sending us items for sale.

We even had tickets for lakes up and down the country and a lake in France donated.”

Steve added: “We have already been assured of some significant assistance from Gary Lineker and are hopeful of support from Chris Tarrant again. We will of course be attempting to secure the obligatory signed football shirts from the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who have helped in the past and are again hopeful of further assistance from the England Cricket Team who supplied some fantastic signed memorabilia for our last event.” INFO: More information about the fishathon can be obtained from the Facebook page www.facebook.com/fishathon4. or ring Steve on 07940094209, or email: mariners452@live.co.uk :