Scoring goals and saving lives: ambulance football tournament returns to the pitch to raise money for charity

A team of 111 call handlers from Barking were crowned champions following a stunning victory at the London Ambulance Service Cup football tournament last week.

The LAS Cup is a football tournament hosted by the Service as a wellbeing event for staff and to raise vital funds London Ambulance Charity.

The Charity – which raised £900 during the tournament – supports staff at London Ambulance Service by funding wellbeing initiatives for frontline crews and call handlers and training London communities in life-saving CPR skills.

The team of 111 call handlers, known as the Barking Tigers, dethroned previous winners Deptford Panthers – a team of ambulance crews from Deptford Ambulance Station – following a gruelling final.

Samir Patel is a 111 Health Advisor and Team Manager for Barking Tigers who also helped organise this year’s tournament following successful games in 2021 and 2022.

Samir said: “It was an amazing feeling to win. The first time we got to the semi-final in 2021 we lost to Westminster and in 2022 we lost to Deptford.

“The game was a rematch of the 2022 match with Deptford, so nerves were high but winning was such a relief. Deptford also played a great match.

“We had an excellent team. We worked together to get our tactics right on the pitch by understanding our strengths and weaknesses.

“The event was a big success. I’d like to thank all the teams involved for such a fantastic tournament.

“We have some really talented players at LAS. I’m so glad we made the magic happen.”

Olivia Peters, Events and Community Fundraising Manager for London Ambulance Charity, said: “Congratulations on Barking Tigers for their incredible victory. The atmosphere was electric!

“The tournament absolutely showed Team LAS at their very best, bringing together skills, enthusiasm and passion from across the Service into one nail-biting tournament.”

14 teams made up of LAS paramedics, call handlers, clinicians and corporate staff competed in Burgess Park to raise money for London Ambulance Charity.

The football tournament, sponsored by Unison and Ballers Academy, comes as the London Ambulance Charity calls on Londoners to join their flagship fundraising event – the London Life Hike – to raise funds for vital life-saving defibrillators in communities which need them most.

Richard White, Community Director at Ballers Academy, said: “Ballers Academy was proud to support the London Ambulance Service Cup, an event that brings together staff from across the Service to enjoy football, teamwork and raise vital funds for London Ambulance Charity.”

Olivia added: “If Londoners want to get involved in our charity events please sign up for our flagship London Hike which will take people through the beating heart of the capital to raise funds that will make a lasting impact on the health of our local communities in London.”

Sign up for the charity’s flagship fundraising event, the London Life Hike on Sunday 27 September.