Football and charity work in the region has always been recognised as a successful partnership and last weekend a 7-a-side compeition maintained that tradition.

The event was organised by RAF serviceman William Grundy who had held a similar event in Norwich in 2012.

“Following on to last year’s success, I was gladly invited by last year’s winners, Beccles Caxton, to hold the competition at their ground.

“With the help from a close RAF friend, Danny Robinson, we set out to make this event happen, bigger and better than last year,” said Mr Grundy.

The day started with traditional British weather, with clouds throughout the morning, followed by outburst of sun in the afternoon. 18 teams took part with some from as far as Oxford.

With military and civilian teams entered, the stage was set for a highly contested tournament.

The tournament began as a group stage competition followed by a cup and plate straight quarter-final knockout.

Beccles Caxton went head to head with one of four very good DKC teams in the semi-final of the cup. After a mouth watering 0-0 score line after extra time, DKC FC Went on to beat Beccles Caxton in a tense penalty shoot-out where they set up an all DKC final against their sister team DKC Town. The eventual winners of the cup, was DKC FC.

The Plate competition also saw a tense final game with Help for Heroes eventually running out of steam against a very respectable RAF team which hadn’t lost a game all season, back in their own league in Oxford. Special credit goes to the Sailors Home (drunken sailors) from Kessingland picking up the wooden spoon.

A total of £645 was raised for Help for Heroes, as well as the Help for Heroes tent taking over £200 themselves.

“Special thanks go out to Beccles Caxton Football Club for holding the event, the Sailors Home and landlord Paul Poppyfrom Kessingland for providing the food and drinks all day. Janet Brown and Hazel Fenn for organising a very well run raffle, Marks Harrods for supplying the goals and Carmicheals of Norwich for the trophies, and to all the other members of staff and businesses on the day who helped,” said Mr Grundy.

For more information on future charitable events for Help for Heroes please contact SAC Grundy (AMS) RAF Brize Norton or visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk