AN ARMY battalion has raised £271.95 for a Weymouth veterans’ home following a week-long football tour in Dorset.

The tour was designed to raise money for Alabare, a charity that cares for military veterans after service, through a variety of community engagement events.

Members of the Four Military Intelligence Battalion contested a friendly match against a Dorchester Sports XI, Damon Potter scoring in a 3-1 loss, before fundraising in the town centre, enjoying a barbeque at Alabare and visiting AFC Bournemouth.

Speaking to Echosport, Corporal Robert Dabbs said the week was targeted towards raising any amount possible.

“There was a barbeque and then a fundraiser in the town centre wearing Alabare t-shirts. Anything we could raise helps them out. Then we went off to Bournemouth do a community session.”

Commenting on the match with Dorchester Sports, Corporal Dabbs felt the match was “a good physical test”.

“It was a good physical test for us. They had a mixture of their first team and reserves out. One of the reasons for this tour is that we’ve got our annual intelligence core football tournament at Chicksands and it helps us prepare for that,” he said.

The battalion’s football officer Phil Beresford admitted there were a few “comedy limps” after the match.

He said: “We really enjoyed it. They were a great team, probably a little better than we’re used to playing. There were a few comedy limps in the morning!

“Mostly the week was to go and work for Alabare and to do a bit of volunteering. We didn’t set a (fundraising) target, we thought we’d do the best we can.”