Bellway teamed up with Oakham United Football Club (OUFC) to support a local football tournament in Rutland this summer.  

The homebuilder donated dinner vouchers for the Michelin star-winning local restaurant, Hitchen's Barn, as raffle prizes at the Rutland Cup.

Held annually, the competition sees four local clubs playing in knock-out fixtures across two weekends to win the trophy.

This year, the tournament was held at defending champions OUFC's home ground in Barleythorpe, where teams from Cottesmore AFC, Stamford Lions FC, and Uppingham Town FC challenged the hosts for the title.

After it was rescheduled due to heavy rain, the final went ahead on Wednesday 19 July and ended with Cottesmore AFC lifting the cup.

The funds raised during the tournament this year are being donated to a local mental health charity in Oakham called Peppers – A Safe Place.

Stewart Lambie, Rutland Cup Organiser, said: "Without donations and sponsorships from companies like Bellway, this local charity fundraising event wouldn't be able to go ahead. 

"We appreciate it is a hard time for all at the moment so everything that was donated will go even further this year. 

"I always try to choose a local charity and this year being able to raise money for Peppers - a safe place seemed very apt in the current climate where mental health is front and centre in many people's lives."

Rutland Cup Organiser Stewart Lambie (left) with Sales Advisor Darcy Lamb from Bellway Eastern Counties, which supported this summer's Rutland Cup hosted by the club. Image credit: Bellway.

Michaela Perkins, Sales Manager for Bellway Eastern Counties, said: "We are proud to work with Oakham United FC. Grassroots clubs like this are the lifeblood of their communities and the Rutland Cup is a showpiece event much loved by players and spectators alike.

"It is especially gratifying to know that the money raised during the tournament is being donated to a local charity which does such vital work in supporting people struggling with their mental health."

Bellway is currently creating 61 new homes in Oakham at its Barleywoods site off Braunston Road on the western edge of the town.

To find out more about Barleywoods, call 01572 200038 or click here.