WAR – what is it good for? Quite a lot, these model gamer fans say, as they raised cash for a disabled girl with a 48-hour table-top battle.

Eight fans of role-play model game Warhammer waged lengthy war in a marathon session for Sophia Aitken, who has cerebral palsy.

The cash will go towards a £1,100 tricycle for the Witney youngster after the weekend’s “Battle for Sophia”.

Steve Foote, a friend of the family, hosted the battle in his Carterton kitchen with pals from Innsmouth Gaming Club.

The gamers worked in shifts from 6.30pm on Friday to wage the “friendly” war, decided through rolls of the dice.

Forces of light like High Elves and Ogre pirate mercenaries fought the forces of chaos like Beastmen, Daemons and Warriors.

Design business owner Mr Foote, 46, said: “It was very good, it was 48 hours of solid gaming.

“It was hard work but good fun. By the early hours of the morning, when most people were asleep, we were down to two-a-side. That was hard work.”

A fan since he was 16, Mr Foote said the intensive battle did nothing to deter his love for the game.

“There is a lot of character to it, there are fantasy armies like Lord of the Rings and everyone can bring their own ideas and monsters.

“Most of the normal games don’t allow for all the models. This allowed us to bring all the toys out.”

Along with an online raffle of Warhammer goodies, the event is expected to raise about £800 for Sophia.

Donations are invited to justgiving.com/Sophias-stepping-stones and live video streaming of the event on the internet received 1,250 hits.

Supporters had previously raised £65,000 for an operation for Sophia in the US that it is hoped will enable her to walk.

Ed Percival, 30, managed 6pm to 5.30am and then 9am to 12.30am the following night, then 6am to 6pm.

The Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, resident said: “It was mental. It was so much fun and so demanding.

“The energy levels from the guys were brilliant, there were a couple of moments when it got a bit hairy.”

Rather than a battle – which last two to three hours – gamers waged all-out war, which ended in an amicable draw.