A TEAM of Yorkshire post office workers challenged the cast and crew of a national television soap to a kickabout, to help raise money for York’s hospice.

Members of the cast of Emmerdale took to the pitch against the Post Office workers at York Railway Institute yesterday, in an 11-a-side match to raise funds for St Leonard’s Hospice.

The match ended with a 3-1 victory for the Post Office, and raised at least £300 for the hospice Andy Day, manager of the post office team and club secretary of Acomb-based Sunday League team Marcia Grey FC, organised the event with sponsors law firm Pattinson & Brewer, who provided kits for the match.

Andy said: “I am so chuffed with the support we have had from my work colleagues, the Post Office, Pattinson & Brewer and, most of all, from the cast of Emmerdale, who have really entered into the spirit of the competition by putting up a brilliant team of players and supporters. We’re very grateful to them and Yorkshire TV for their involvement.”

Cast members taking part in the match included James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle, and Luke Roskell, who plays Sean Spencer, while one member of the Post Office team has also spent time working as an extra on the series.

Jane Radcliffe, a partner at Pattinson & Brewer, said the company hoped to make the charity match an annual event.

“Andy has been our Bridge Street office postie for years, and his cheerful, positive approach has so impressed us that when he said he was looking for support for his worthy local cause, we couldn’t say no.

“It all went really well, better than expected, and there was a really nice atmosphere.”