PARENTS and teachers at a Tynedale school took part in a 12-hour football tournament last week, raising nearly £2,000 for charity.

Mowden Hall school, in Newton near Stocksfield, hosted the charity football day from 7am until 7pm on Sunday, February 26.

Past and current parents joined Mowden Hall staff to raise funds for Hire a Hero, a charity which supports service leavers and veterans to make a transition into civilian life, and the mental health charity Mind.

English and drama teacher Simon Hampton organised the event, which took place in the Mowden Hall sports hall.

He said: “A huge thank you to all those lads and lasses, mums and dads who turned out to play football in the sports hall during the day last Sunday and to all of you who have donated to our two charities – we’ve raised nearly £2,000, an excellent achievement.

“From the feedback I’ve received it’s clear that everyone who was here at Mowden enjoyed themselves and, as they say, ‘put in a big shift’.

Beginning at 7am, men’s teams took on one-hour sessions on rotation before handing over to the ladies at 1pm.

The girls were described as not lacking in exertion and excitement, meanwhile the boys “played some fine stuff”.

The funds were raised through sponsorship from a range of businesses, including local dairyman Chris Sewell; Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood; Fine Art Auctioneers; SRX Solutions; P&N Associates Ltd; The Seafield Caravan Park, Seahouses; The Cothill Educational Trust and www.micro-scooters.co.uk, as well as donations from parents on the day.