Five-hour five-a-side tournament to return for 8th year to support Macmillan and Marie Curie

Players representing Macmillan Cancer Support or Marie Curie Cancer Care will go head to head in a fun competition to raise funds.

Graham Turner set up the event in 2013, a year after losing his mum Diane to cancer, because he wanted to support charities helping families through their experiences.

When Diane was diagnosed, Graham took part in Portsmouth’s Great South Run to raise funds, but wanted more people to get involved - and the five-hour five-a-side tournament was born.

Having raised more than £12,000 so far, 44-year-old Graham has no plans to stop as more and more people get involved with the fun each year.

Graham, from Park Gate, said: ‘I’m just going to continue doing it all the time people want to continue to come down and play.

‘I want to keep growing it. All the time I can do it, I will continue to. The more money it raises, the happier I am.’

This year’s tournament will be held at Goals in Tangier Road, Portsmouth, on Sunday, April 26 from 10am to 3pm.

Each player needs to bring a minimum of £10 to play for an hour, but people are welcome to join in for as much or as little time as they would like, as the game is continuous with rolling substitutions.

The event always runs in April, as it is around the date Diane died. Graham said: ‘It means I’m not wallowing about - my mum was an amazing woman and that’s why I do it.’

Following the game there will be a trophy presentation to the ‘winning’ charity - last year saw Macmillan win 51-41 - and a brief on what each of the charities do from their regional co-ordinators.

Father-of-two Graham, who is hoping even more people will join in this year, said: ‘It’s not serious, the game can have anyone on there.

‘It’s family friendly and everyone enjoys it, it has a good atmosphere.’

Anyone who wants to get involved can sign up on the Facebook group at Annual 5hr Charity 5-a-side Match.