The parents and sister of murder victim Dean Evans were touched by the overwhelming response at second cricket fundraising match held in his memory.

Many remarked that it must have been Dean’s presence on the day that created a gap in the clouds for the sun to shine though during Sunday’s match.

Friends of Dean, fondly remembered by his nickname ‘Bevsey’, organised the friendly, which for the second year running saw one team dressed in ‘Bevsey’s Boys’ T-shirts.

The event generated a huge amount of money, above and beyond this year’s target to fund the trip of a lifetime for a young girl suffering from Hirschsprungs disease. Five-year-old Emily Jones chatted freely with everyone at the event with a warmth and cheeriness that was likened to Dean’s infectious personality.

A bowel condition which interrupts her daily routine and often means regular trips to hospital for Emily, will not stop the brave car fanatic from Milford Haven as she visits the British Formula One Grand Prix next year, thanks to the generosity of those at Dean’s memorial match.

Emily's mum Jill was moved by the kindness shown towards her daughter. She said: “I’m putting together a scrapbook of her Grand Prix experience starting from today as a keepsake.”

The sale of wristbands, refreshments, raffle tickets and a grand auction ensured that Emily’s dreams could be realised and extra money raised will go to Withybush Intensive Care Unit.

Once again, crowds gathered at the cricket pitch in Stackpole watch the match and pay respects to the popular Pembroke boy, but Dean’s mum, Sandra Evans, insisted it wasn’t about numbers: “At the end of the day, even if it’s just a few boys turning up for a game of cricket, at least it’s bringing people together,” she said, adding: “I know Dean would be happy with his tinny.”

After a fun-filled charity auction, during which two ladies parted with £600 for a dinner date with international rugby star Jonathan Thomas and a bid topping £1,000 won a a Welsh rugby shirt signed by the 2007 Grand Slam heroes, Dean’s dad Ron Evans said: “I’m lucky enough that I had a son that everybody loved.”