BY SOPHIE BUCKINGHAM

HAVING grown up with my uncle in the TA, it was often very difficult to say goodbye when his next flight was one to Afghanistan.

For my nan, it was often important to her meeting his fellow soldiers and hearing about their personal stories and how they coped with being injured.

Then she discovered Help for Heroes.

Thanks to Morrisons and Sainsbury’s in Weymouth, Help for Heroes is now £1,000 better off due to their charity football match.

On Sunday, May 8, Morrisons beat Sainsbury’s 3-1 at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The match was in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and Help for Heroes, which were voted for by their customers.

The Sainsbury’s team had been training every Sunday at Redland Sports Centre; so were primed and ready for this year’s match.

James Gerrard, Sainsbury’s goalkeeper, said: “We play well together as a team and work on each other’s weaknesses.

“It’s not the winning that counts; it’s having fun and raising money for our charity especially as we work with people who have the support of Weldmar.”

Hibernating season must have come to an end as night shift worker Ryan Langdon scored two minutes into the game, giving Sainsbury’s the lead.

Their strong start was soon over as Morrisons player Dean Taylor scored twice, leading to a 2-1 score going into half time.

Odyssey Majorettes wowed the crowd as they took to the pitch for their half time performance, performing their routines to hit songs.

Over £300 of raffle prizes were won during a half time raffle, including plasma screen TVs, gift vouchers and cash.

The match soon turned sour for Sainsbury’s as Morrisons player Jamie Samways scored just three minutes into the second half.

Sainsbury’s were quick to bounce back however, as Tom Skelcher scored with just ten minutes of the match to go.

Despite Sainsbury’s hard work, the final whistle was blown, leading Morrisons to retain their defending title of champions with the final score of 3-2.

Peter Brown, organiser, and Graunt Usmar, director of fundraising for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, hosted an award ceremony after the game in honour of the players and to also celebrate Morrison’s third win.

Each player received a medal for taking part, before the championship trophy was awarded to Morrisons.