A total of £19,600 has been raised for charities throughout Scotland over the course of the national business 5-a-side tournament.

Supported by sponsors White Tree Chiropractic, health and wellbeing partners for the season and Dr Gary Blackwood advised the players of the benefits of using a dynamic warm up as part of the preparations against the traditional school of thought on static stretching. On the pitch the action was intense with the standard high in the business end of the tournament.

Companies from across eight industry sectors of the Scottish economy have been raising money for their chosen charity in a model that has proven very successful in enabling Business Fives to make a much greater impact on charities throughout Scotland.

The tournament was supported by a host of ambassadors from the football world who finished off the season with a well-received Q & A session hosted by TV presenter, David Tanner with Scotland hall of famer Rhonda Jones, Hibs hero Pat Stanton, Aberdeen and St Mirren star Lee Mair, former Partick Thistle and Celtic goal scorer Jim Melrose.

Business Fives founder, John McClarey, said: “We’re blown away by the efforts of all the companies involved in our summer season and we’re absolutely delighted almost double our initial £10,000 charity target. CSR is hugely important to us as our company has a commitment to donating 10% of all proceeds to charity. We’re delighted to see our charity donation going to such a wonderful cause in Glasgow Children’s Hospital and offer our congratulations to A.C. Whyte & Co.”

The tournament, now in its third season, has been supported by health and wellbeing sponsors White Tree Chiropractic and 98 teams have taken part with the top 20 qualifying for the National final taking place in Edinburgh with companies such as BT, Scottish Gas, Scottish Water, Standard Life, Anderson Strathern, Sir Robert McAlpine to name just a few involved.

On the pitch it was Glasgow Construction, Housing & Property champions, A.C. Whyte & Co. who have been playing for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital committing to a £1,000 donation to the Hospital who continued their 100% win record for the season. The company who narrowly missed out on a final place in the winter season went one better in the summer to take home the £3,120 prize for Glasgow Children’s Hospital.

It was the Edinburgh Construction, Housing & Property champions who ran them close in the final, recruitment firm Hudson who were playing for MacMillan but they were unable to find a way to stop tournament top scorer Mate Lacsi as the EWI installers ran out 3 nil winners. It was Hudson goalkeeper Greg McDermott who was chosen by the ambassadors as Man of the Match in the final, a testament to how much pressure Hudson withstood.

David Melhuish, director of the Scottish Property Federation, who have supported the tournament, said: “We are delighted to support Business Fives again after such a success last year. Backing this unique event, whilst promoting healthy lifestyles, is something we are thrilled to be involved with. To hear that nearly £20,000 has been raised for good causes is fantastic news and we look forward to continuing to support this fun and competitive event.”

Kieran Findlay, editor of the Scottish Housing News and Scottish Construction Now, which supported the Construction, Housing & Property heats in Edinburgh and Glasgow, added: “Being part of these events which promote healthy living, team camaraderie and charity fundraising is always a pleasure. Massive congratulations to all who have helped Business Fives smash its fundraising target and also to the eventual winners A.C. Whyte & Co.”

Chartered accountants, Geoghegans qualified by winning the financial services industry heat look to be in great form ahead of the final as they raised £201 for Medic1 Trust. They suffered their first defeat of the summer season in the semi-finals as Hudson won 4-1. In the other semi-final Standard Life were unlucky to lose 2-1 after overcoming Sir Robert McAlpine on penalties in the quarter-final.

Professional Services champions Anderson Strathern beat Aviva in the champions league last 16 stages but couldn’t find a way passed Geoghegans in the quarter finals. Scottish Water and Turner & Townsend also walked away with a respectable quarter final showing.

You can find out more information and get involved in Business Fives via its website.