FUNDRAISERS handed over almost £4,000 to Dorset County Hospital’s Kingfisher children’s ward following a charity football match between Weymouth and Dorchester Football Club’s old boys.

Organiser Naomi Patterson presented a cheque for £3,956 to Catherine Abery-Williams from the ward.

More than 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 Mrs Patterson’s son.

The event was set up to raise money for the hospital ward and Meningitis Now after her son, George, fell ill with a rare strain of meningitis that left him severely disabled.

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

Naomi said: “The fundraiser is 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. She said the funds were split equally between the two causes.