A SERIAL fundraiser is celebrating after raising more than £8,000 for Meningitis Now and Dorset County Hospital’s Kingfisher Ward following a hugely successful charity football match.

Naomi Patterson organised the event to raise money for the two causes after her son, George, fell ill with a rare strain of meningitis that left him severely disabled.

As reported in the Echo, George, who is now seven, contracted meningitis type B as a baby and was left deaf and partially paralysed.

Over 500 people turned out to watch ‘old boys’ from Dorchester and Weymouth football clubs battled it out at Avenue Stadium on November 30 for the George Patterson trophy, named after George.

This is not the first fundraiser for Mrs Patterson, who has previously organised a Family Fun Day and Toddle Waddle in Poundbury this August, which also raised money for Meningitis Now.

As part of the latest event, there was a hog roast from Dorset Porkers, children’s magic tricks in the stadium car park, an auction which included signed football memorabilia and live music from local bands in the evening at the Victoria Hotel in Dorchester.

Mrs Patterson said the organisers wanted to make the day a family fun day for all, and even George’s classmates Georgina and Ben got involved by taking to the pitch as mascots.

She said: “I just feel quite overwhelmed really. I can’t believe that amount of people who turned up, and the footballers and managers were great all day as well. The whole day was brilliant.”

“I set out to put Meningitis Now on the map in the Dorset area. It offers so much support and I feel it’s very important to get the awareness out there for these vaccines.

“If we can help with families so they don’t have to go through what we have then I will do all I can.”

She added: “The fundraiser is also our way of thanking the staff at Dorset County Hospital’s Kingfisher Ward for everything they’ve done to help us, we are so lucky to have such a great children’s ward on our doorstep and the work they do is amazing.”

Mrs Patterson passed on her thanks to everyone who helped out on the day donating prizes, providing services or time, or helping to organising the event.

Funds raised from the event will now be split equally between the two causes.