Local businesses are being invited to take part in a unique team-building day to support the charity, the Pied Piper Appeal, and learn more about the state-of-the-art sports facilities at Hartpury.

All proceeds from the inaugural Hartpury Corporate Charity five-a-side football tournament, which takes place next month, will go towards the Pied Piper Appeal.

The Pied Piper Appeal makes a difference to the lives of sick and disabled children in Gloucestershire.

The charity funds The Children’s Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, supports SEND schools with equipment and resources, provides holidays to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families, and improves children’s experiences at mental health facilities.

The Hartpury Corporate Charity five-a-side tournament will be held on Hartpury’s new floodlit third generation (3G) artificial grass football pitch, which features integrated video analysis equipment, on Wednesday, April 1.

There will be prizes for the winning team, top goalscorer and goal of the tournament, while each team will be sent video highlights of their matches.

Chris Knowles, Senior Football Manager at Hartpury, said: “We are in a fortunate position to be able to offer opportunities to a lot of young people in both sport and education.

“Linking up with the Pied Piper Appeal allows us to support the wider community and young people and children who aren’t studying at Hartpury.

“Our inaugural Hartpury Corporate Charity five-a-side tournament is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to get their staff out of the office, improve their health and fitness and have some fun alongside their work colleagues.

“It is also a chance to interact with our students, take a look at what Hartpury offers student athletes in the sports academies, find out about the history of our highly successful football programme, meet some of the key sponsors and build networks with local companies.”

A £50 deposit covers the first five players on the team sheet, with an additional £10 for every player over the initial five to be paid on the day of the event.