The emergency services defied the soggy spring weather to come together for a special football tournament to raise cash for Farleigh Hospice.

Staff from the East of England Ambulance Service, Essex County Fire and Rescue and Essex Police all took part in the event which saw £850 raised for the hospice.

Tarik Foley, who is from Halstead and works on the critical care desk in the East of England Ambulance Service’s control room, organised the event which was held at Halstead Town Football Club.

Mr Foley said: “We had just under 100 people turnout for it which was brilliant considering the weather.

“It rained all night on Saturday and then all the way through until about 11am when we started.

“But I thought the whole thing went really well even though we had to shorten the games a bit to 30 minutes.

“The weather meant the pitch just wouldn’t have been able to take much more.

“We still managed to have three matches in total and overall fire ended up beating police on goal difference.”

Mr Foley himself was limited in how much he was able to help his team’s efforts.

He said: “I managed to pick up a groin strain about four weeks ago, so I could only play for a few minutes before I had to stop.

“We’re definitely looking to arrange it again for next year and we’re hoping to make it an annual event.”

More information about Farleigh Hospice is available at www.farleighhospice.org.