FOOTBALLERS returned from the pitch muddy and exhausted - but it was all worth it in the name of charity.

More than 70 players competed in a marathon 12-hour football match at the weekend to raise money for the Kingfisher Ward and Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, both based at Dorset County Hospital.

Organisers of the event, held at Dorchester Town Football Club, are still counting up the final pennies but it is believed that more than £2,450 was raised with other sponsorship money still to come in.

This is the third year the event has been held and each year it has only got bigger and better.

It was launched by a group of friends from Dorchester – Cameron Dabbs, George Caroll, Lucas Jones and Julian Dale.

They came up with the idea in 2015 after Cameron's close friend Rian Harvey was diagnosed with leukaemia for the second time and the match has now been transformed in to a real community event.

As football is Rian’s favourite sport, Cameron felt a football match in aid of the Piam Brown Unit at Southampton Hospital, where Rian was treated, would be a fitting cause.

Cameron said the event has now transformed into a real community event.

Lucas said it had been a "huge success".

He said: "It was a fantastic turnout, we had about 70 players turn up.

"We had 35 on each team, plus substitutes, for the whole 12 hours.

"It was a great match and the Fortuneswell team, playing in white, won the trophy.

"I don't know how much has been raised so far, George is counting the money as we speak. But I know we raised a lot just by having the buckets on the door.

"David Evans from the Trust was there and said a few nice words about it."

He added: "We are definitely doing to do it next year, only bigger and better.

"One woman turned up on the day and was asking about playing next year. She stayed for about six hours.

"We had about 100 people in and our throughout the day, enjoying a pint and a burger.

"Most of the players were education age, 18 to 21, but our youngest player was 14 and our oldest were around 40."

David Evans, Chairman of the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, added: “It must have been back in January that the boys first approached me about fundraising. I have been told they have been very successful in their efforts in the past so I was delighted they chose Fortuneswell as one of their recipients this year alongside the Kingfisher ward.

“Most of our fundraising this year will go toward the new the new West Dorset Cancer Unit which we have been working together on with the hospital charity. The unit will include Radiotherapy facilities and the all the latest equipment.”