POMPEY legends will be joining together in a huge charity football match in honour of a special Petersfield girl.

The match is taking place on Sunday for two-year-old Marlowe Parker who was born with Down’s Syndrome and a heart defect.

Former Portsmouth Football Club professionals, including Alan Knight, Guy Butters, Dave Waterman, Mark Kelly, Sean Davis and Paul Walsh, will be playing against ‘Team Marlowe’.

Marlowe’s family want to raise money to build a room on the side of her bedroom at Highfield Road in Petersfield so it can be fitted with vital physiotherapy and sensory equipment.

Marlowe’s mother, Claire Parker (30), said: “The response that we have had in regards to people who are interested and want to help has been huge.

“I am so excited. It’s unbelievable. Marlowe has been through so much. We went through two years thinking ‘is it ever going to get better?’ She’s now being recognised – people are approaching her in the street.

“People are getting to know her which is lovely as she’s going to grow up here.”

Now, Claire is hoping that this weekend’s match might give them enough money to meet their initial fundraising target. They’ve already raised around £6,000 and need another £2,000 to cover the costs of the building and the foundations.

After that, they will need equipment which they are hoping they might be able to get through charities.

Claire added: “Once it’s up and running we can set out things so other families can benefit from it as well.

“The physio has changed Marlowe’s life. She couldn’t hold her head up and now she’s nearly crawling. She’s breathing better and can come off the ventilator for short periods of time.”

Claire said she’s been overwhelmed by the reaction. “I never thought that it was going to be this big.

“As the response got bigger, it started getting a bit more adventurous with what we wanted to do.”

The match is on Sunday at 1pm at Petersfield Town Football Club’s Love Lane stadium. Entry is £3 for adults and children go free. Entertainment includes a bouncy castle, face painting, bar and food and live music.