TEAMS of footballers kicked off to raise funds in memory of a brave Bournemouth schoolgirl.

A seven-a-side tournament at the Littledown Centre was held to raise funds for the charity set up in memory of Amelia-Grace Cooper, who died from cancer aged eight in 2010.

The Amelia-Grace Rainbow Fund was set up by her parents, Chantel and Karl, and provides financial help to Dorset-based children and their families struck by serious, chronic, life-limiting and terminal illnesses.

The couple supported the event with a stand explaining the charity as around 80 staff at insurance company Ageas Bournemouth office turned out in force in the sunshine to stage the football tournament.

Nine teams turned out to compete for the trophies, raising £340 for the charity in the process.

“It was terrific,” said organiser Matthew Score. “It was a huge success. We were very pleased with the amount raised.”

However all the teams were composed entirely of men. “We opened it up to females in the organisation but strangely enough it was all males,” said Matthew.

Friends and family turned out to shout their teams on and it was so successful another event is likely to be held in September.

“The reason we chose this charity is it's our chosen charity of the year,” said Matthew. “It's a charity that helps terminally ill children and being a parent myself I can't imagine what it would be like to lose one of your own children.

“So just to raise money for these children and brighten up the life of a child who is terminally ill is very satisfying.”

Company executive James Collins presented the medals and trophies and the winning team was Inbound Elite, Spocker Juniors were runners-up and The Tweenies came third.