A DOCTOR who worked at the Oxford Children’s Hospital has helped launch a charity football tournament to raise money for the unit.

Dr Amar Latif was so impressed with the staff and children at the unit on the John Radcliffe site he decided to give something back.

The inaugural Oxford Charity Fun Days, which also features a range of entertainment, takes place at St Gregory’s School in East Oxford on July 24.

Dr Latif, who lives in Iffley Fields, said the day will also raise money for the Edhi Foundation, in Pakistan, which was set up following last year’s devastating floods.

He said: “Working at the Oxford Children’s Hospital allowed me to see first-hand just how hard-working the staff at the hospital are, and we felt that we wanted to support their good work.

“It always amazed me how the children in hospital always had such a positive attitude, and we wanted to incorporate that positivity into our event and have a fun day which can be enjoyed by all the family.

“The combination of a football tournament and fun day promises to be a unique event.”

Oxford United staff will be running a coaching session on the day to help develop younger players.

As well as the six-a-side tournament, other attractions will include a bouncy castle, gladiator jousting, face painting, archery, free health checks, resuscitation classes, and craft workshops.

Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire Service and St John Ambulance will also be attending.

Committee chairman Shajaat Hussain said: “We are really excited to be launching this event.

“We feel that it will be a real community event, with lots for all the family.

“There will also be a highly competitive football tournament with 32 teams battling it out to be crowned champions of Oxford. We’ve already had interest from teams outside the city, so the standard will be top quality and the teams will really have to prove themselves on the day”.

The event will be opened by the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Elise Benjamin and Oxford East MP Andrew Smith will present the prizes.

The tournament will feature 32 teams grouped into leagues of eight, with the top two teams from each group going into the quarter finals.

The warm-up on the day will be led by instructors from Feel Fit Gym, based in Templars Square, Cowley.

Children’s hospital fundraiser Penny Hambridge said: “We are very grateful to the team for hosting such a big fundraising event.

“Donations from these events help provide all the extras for the children and their families that help make such a difference during their stay in hospital.”

Teams must be registered by July 17. For more details visit oxfunday.co.uk or contact Shajaat Hussain on 07852 235242 or Haroon Usman on 07595 899543.

You can also donate via phone by texting ‘OXFD99 £1’ to 70070.