HUNDREDS of footballers are aiming to hit the back of the net to boost two charities.

Gullane Football Club’s annual football festival has raised about £36,000 over three years but has been sidelined since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, the event is returning to the playing fields beside the village’s primary school.

Michael Spink, chairman of the club, was looking forward to the kick-off at 9am, with the final whistle being blown at 7pm.

He said: “This is the fourth one that we have done.

“We do it as a football club but all the money that is raised is donated to charity.

“We have got a main sponsor, Chop House in Edinburgh, and the Co-op, who put money in and they sponsor the strips and cover all the running costs, medals and everything else.”

The Edinburgh restaurant is also helping to supply the products for the barbecue, with Tennent’s helping to stock the bar.

Money raised this weekend is split between CLIC Sargent and Flora’s Fight, which is helping three-year-old Flora Gentleman.

The youngster, from Aberlady, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in April last year.

Her family is looking to raise more than £300,000, which would allow them to take her to New York for a medical trial in a bid to stop her cancer returning.

Mr Spink expected 450 children from Edinburgh, West Lothian and East Lothian – aged between five and 10 to be playing – with a further 220-plus adults taking to the field.