AN ALL-day football tournament in Dorchester netted £1,500 for a hospital charity.

The Malayali community of Dorchester hosted the Intercity Football Tournament at the 1610 centre to raise money for the Greatest Need Appeal at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

A full day of football was on the cards with the day beginning at 9am and the last blow of the whistle occurring at 8pm.

Kick-off was overseen by Patricia Miller, CEO of the Dorset Integrated Care Board, and former Chief Executive of Dorset County Hospital.

The tournament was the second of its kind and attracted teams from London, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bournemouth and Yeovil.

George Davis, Chair of the Dorset County Hospital Overseas Staff Support Network 2022, said: “I am happy and proud to be a part of the greatest event conducted by the Dorchester Malayali community which brought us together as a community.

"Hats off to all my friends who worked day in and out for the noble cause of helping DCH Charity. Raising £1500 is hard work and I hope this unity stays strong and these events happen every year. A big thank you to team DCH and the Charity team for helping and guiding us.”

In all, 23 matches were played including a nail-biting final game which was eventually won, after penalties, by Northerners FC from London who received the ever-rolling DMC UNITED trophy.

The second prize was won by San Pedro FC from Bournemouth. The prizes were presented by Nick Johnson, CEO of Dorset County Hospital, and representatives of the event sponsors.

The Dorchester Malayali Community - people from Kerala in India - raised £1,500 in total for Dorset County Hospital’s Greatest Need Appeal and members of the host team presented a cheque to DCH Charity staff.

Indu Maria, a staff nurse at Dorset County Hospital said: “Being a part of the event gave me great satisfaction as a DCH nurse and a member of the Dorchester Malayali community. DCH is our extended family, and we are proud to contribute in whatever modest way.

"Almost 80% of the Dorchester Malayali community members work for DCH. I hope we'll carry this event out jointly in the years to come as well.”

For more information about the Greatest Need Appeal and other ways of supporting Dorset County Hospital visit www.dchcharity.org.uk.

To contact the DCH Charity team phone 01305 253215 or email charity@dchft.nhs.uk