FUNDRAISING footballers took to the pitch on Sunday for the eighth annual charity tournament to raise money for Oxford Children's Hospital.

Barton Old Boys lifted the trophy of the Play2Give tournament as they fought off fierce competition from 11 teams in the event at Oxford City Football Club.

Event organiser and Play2Give founder Andrew Baker said the competition marked one of the group's best years yet.

The 28-year-old said: "It was a fantastic day, I was so pleased that all the teams turned up.

"Every year I am just astounded by the people who come along, give up their time and raise money for some great causes.

"My target is to raise £40,000 for the hospital this year so that Play2Give can sponsor its own room in the teenage ward.

"I know we are only £2,500 from the target so we are very close now."

The six-a-side tournament raised funds for Oxford Children's Hospital and brain injury charity Headway Oxfordshire.

Mr Baker, who lives in Great Western Drive, Didcot, suffered a brain tumour as a baby and had brain surgery aged 12.

He is a regular service user at Headway's activity and rehabilitation centre in Kennington, which supports about 260 brain injury survivors as well as their families.

Charlie Hayes, marketing and events manager at the charity, said his team was delighted to come in third place.

He said: "We are very proud of Andrew, he is such a fantastic guy who is doing some really incredible work.

"He is a great example of how we encourage our users as part of their recovery to be active and get involved with the community.

"We can't thank him enough for the money Play2Give has raised for us and the children's hospital."

Teams from Sainsbury's Didcot, MYOX4, Thames Valley Garden Maintenance and Cottsway Housing Association all took up the challenge at the weekend.

Even students at Mr Baker's former school, St Birinus pitched in with fundraising efforts.

The school in Mereland Road, held a non-uniform day on Friday, raising more than £600 after Mr Baker spent the week speaking to different year groups about his fundraising.

He added: "It was great to be able to go back to my school and tell them everything I've been doing with Play2Give.

"One of my old teachers, Mr Wood, who is the head of year seven said he doesn't normally participate in non-uniform days but had made a donation for this one.

"He said I was an inspiration - so that is always nice to hear."

Since its creation in 2007, Play2Give has already raised more than £45,700 for a range of charities – with about £36,500 going to Oxford Children's Hospital.

The winners cup had been specially made and sponsored by an eye doctor at the John Radcliffe Hospital in 2014.