Saved: Michael Sam's shot is blocked by Chris Trent, during the tournament A FOOTBALL tournament helped raise money for a project to refurbish an orphanage in Ghana.

The event in South Park, Oxford, saw 28 people, aged from ten to 40, taking to the pitch.

Many others turned out to cheer the players on.

The players then enjoyed a barbecue in organiser Sharon Freemire's garden in Morrell Avenue, which backs on to the park.

The footballers all paid £5 to play - raising more than £150.

Mrs Freemire said: "It was fantastic. After the football, it spilled over into the garden. The kids carried on playing and the adults had a bottle of wine.

"The nicest thing about it was that youngsters who would have passed each other in the street, were sitting talking to each other. There was a real mix of people getting to know each other, and helping to raise money for kids who have nothing.

"Adults and children came along, some to play, and some just to eat.

"We might have an annual tournament to raise money for other things.

"It was to get kids from different sides of the community together."

The money raised will go towards a project by St Clement's Church to send 15 young people to Ghana to refurbish an orphanage.

The church, of which Mrs Freemire is a member, hopes to raise £5,000 for the orphanage.

Mrs Freemire had put up posters to advertise the event - the sixth to be held - and visited schools to get young people involved. Food was donated by Tesco and the Co-op.

For more information, or to donate to the orphanage in Ghana, call the church on 01865 246674.