West Ham United's two nominated charities for the 2007/08 season are The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and Richard House Children's Hospice.

The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK

In 1993 Stephanie Moore MBE established The Bobby Moore Fund (Registered Charity No: 1089464), in partnership with Cancer Research UK, in memory of her late husband and former Hammer Bobby Moore OBE. Bobby, who will always be remembered for captaining England to World Cup glory in 1966, tragically died of bowel cancer aged just 51.

Bowel cancer is the second largest cause of cancer death in the UK, after lung cancer. Almost 100 people in this country are diagnosed with bowel cancer and 45 die from the disease every day.

The good news is that around two-thirds of bowel cancer cases could be prevented by changes to lifestyle. We can all make choices that will reduce our risk of the disease, such as taking plenty of exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight and eating a healthy diet.

Equally important is early detection and recognising the symptoms of the disease which includes bleeding from the bottom without any obvious reason, a persistent change in bowel habit to looser or more frequent bowel motions, tummy pain, especially if severe, or a lump in your tummy. When bowel cancer is found early more than eight out of 10 people will survive.

For more information on bowel cancer and its symptoms, visit www.bobbymoorefund.org/bowelcancer/

To date, the Bobby Moore Fund has raised over £9m for research and also works to raise public awareness of the disease and its symptoms. The Fund supports high-quality bowel cancer research carried out by leading scientists working across the UK.

Stephanie Moore MBE said: "I am delighted that West Ham United Football Club have selected the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK to be their chosen charity for 2007/08.

"Bobby played almost his entire professional career at West Ham and celebrated his most glorious footballing successes whilst at the Club. I am proud that his name, and the charity founded in his memory, should now be linked with West Ham United. The partnership will help improve the quality of life for those who have bowel cancer, and those who will be diagnosed in the future, by raising money for invaluable scientific research into the disease which claimed his life."

The Richard House Hospice

Richard House is London's first children's hospice and is located in the Docklands area of east London. They support children and their families from east, north, south-east and central London and provide respite and end-of-life care for children and young people between 0-19 years old who are not expected to live into adulthood.

Over the past six years they have provided care to hundreds of life-limited and life-threatened children from London, such as children with rare and incurable cancers, children with degenerative genetic conditions, or children waiting for major organ transplants.

They offer day care, short stays in their residential area, support in the home and family support, including befriending and bereavement services. In addition, there is always one bed set aside for emergency and end of life care.

Care is provided completely free to families. This means that this year the hospice needs to raise around £2m in donations to provide these valuable services. Richard House is dependent upon the generosity and hard work of all of its supporters and volunteers.

For more info visit: http://www.richardhouse.org.uk/

Peter Ellis, Chief Executive of the Richard House Hospice said: "We are delighted that West Ham United are supporting Richard House Children's Hospice during the coming season. It is wonderful that a local football team with an international reputation is our charity partner, particularly as we are an east London hospice serving children and their families from the diverse communities in and around the capital.

"Richard House relies on the local community for financial and volunteering support. Teaming up with West Ham United means that we can continue to offer short breaks and specialised care to our children, young people and their families in a happy environment. We focus on living for today and creating positive memories for tomorrow. We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to West Ham United and all the fans whose generosity will enable us to deliver that vision for London's life-limited children."