Callum McCartney: Southampton’s Charity 5’aside

Earlier this year, I decided that I would host a charity 5’aside tournament for companies within the construction industry as part of our campaign to raise £50,000 for charity this year.

We had a great response from clients and even companies we haven’t worked with in the past, so we decided to go ahead and set the date for Friday 9th June. Goals in Southampton were great in helping us get everything set up, dealing with all of the “boring” bits and taking that job off my hands! 

In the end, we had 13 teams that signed up and over 100 people attending on the day. The teams included: ITS Southampton, ITS Mixed Office, Highwood, Crest Nicholson, Countryside Partnerships, Bargate Homes, Bewley Homes, Bellway Homes, SMP Brickwork, TJM Scaffolding, Aquascience, Viking Projects & Go Plant. 

After experiencing a serious knee injury (playing football), I was a bit frustrated I wasn’t able to take part myself, but after seeing everyone’s faces after the first couple of games in the 30 degree heat, I was a little less jealous 😂

The games and leagues turned out to be a lot closer than I was expecting, but after some well fought out matches, SMP Brickwork ran out winners of the Champions Cup, beating Crest Nicholson South on penalties in the final. The ITS Southampton office picked up the Plate trophy after they beat Go Plant 8-4 in their final. 

It was a great day and I think everyone involved enjoyed themselves, and I will certainly be looking to make this an annual tournament, hopefully with some new teams & faces at next years!

Through team fees, JustGiving donations and raffle ticket sales, we managed to raise an amazing £3115 for Sue Ryder, a figure I am hugely proud of!

Quick shout out also to Charlotte Mullin, my raffle ticket seller and all of the local businesses that kindly donated prizes for our raffle!