AN Oldbury school is hoping to net vital funds to boost a £12,000 appeal for equipment to help its special needs pupils with a  five-a-side football tournament.

The Meadows Sports College, for 11-19-year-olds with complex, profound and multiple learning difficulties, is raising funds for a sensory eye control system and ‘magic carpet’ interactive mat.

Headteacher Gordon Phillips kicked off the appeal raising more than £1,400 with a sponsored 10k run and it is hoped the football tournament, on Sunday June 23, will raise a further £1,000.

The entry fee is £50 per team and he is appealing for companies and other organisations to take part, with a prize of a West Bromwich Albion stadium tour up for grabs along with a winners’ trophy.

The school's business, finance and strategy director Melissa Heise said the equipment will allow students with physical disabilities to engage in a range of exploratory worlds, just by using their eyes, while the magic carpet will promote interaction between pupils, staff and able bodied peers.

She said: “This equipment is a fantastic sensory learning tool with the capacity to engage people of all ages and disabilities. It will make so much difference to our students’ experiences in school.”

The football tournament is being sponsored by Audi, Halesowen, and will take place at Pulse Soccer Centre, Wednesbury, from 10am,

The deadline for entries is Friday June 7 and entry forms are available from the school on 0121 5697080.