Broken bones, ligament damage, dead legs, shin splints and exhaustion did not prevent a hardy group of footballers from raising thousands for charity by completing an epic 24-hour match.

Thirty-six players took part in the match at Lochside Park – the home of Hermes Junior Football Club – in Bridge of Don to raise funds for the Dochas Education Trust.

Two teams, kitted out in Scotland and Brazil strips, kicked off the match last Friday at 6.30pm and played straight through until 7pm on Saturday with only a half hour break for half-time.

The players who took part ranged in standard from those with Highland League experience to local businessmen and school pupils who just wanted to come along and help raise funds for a good cause.

Organiser Dougie Simpson said: “The first four or five hours were played at normal match pace with Scotland being ruthless in front of goal and taking a substantial lead.

"Things started to slow down around about midnight and the pace of the game had taken its toll on the Brazil squad who had already lost four players due to injuries ranging from a broken hand to a dead leg.”

When half time came at 6.30am both teams only had one substitute left each so the decision was made to reduce the size of the pitch in a bid to keep the challenge going for a further 12 hours.

Come full time, Scotland had secured a memorable 95-87 victory, and, more importantly, a whopping £12,500 had been raised for the trust.

The Dochas Education Trust is a Christian organisation which is working to improve the Nsanje district of Malawi through education and training. The trust is sending a group of volunteers to help run a children’s bible club for two weeks in July.

Mr Simpson added: “All of the players who survived the 24 hours require huge praise, most notably Craig Ferguson who played an incredible 20 of the 24 hours. One word: machine.

"We are hugely grateful to Hermes for allowing us to use their pitch, local businessman Jim Milne who provided the strips, the referee Dan McFarlane and the ladies who organised the food which helped keep the players going. We are delighted to have raised so much for such a worthy cause.”

For more information on the Dochas Education Trust go to www.dochaseducation.org.uk.