Football day raises funds

The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK is now £2,000 richer thanks to the efforts of local football coach Steve Heighton.

Steve has raised the money over the past year through support from his employers and by organising a special football match on the day of the FA Cup final between the Paddox Vets and the Victoria Vets. As an avid West Ham United supporter, the Bobby Moore Fund was the obvious charity to choose for Steve.

"The work done in research and support is vital in tacking this killer decease. Bobby Moore himself fought back when he contracted testicular cancer and it's crucial the charity continues with its excellent work," he said.

Steve, pictured in red flanked by Victoria Vets manager Nick Pugh and Paddox Vets FC's Dean Johnson, also urged other football teams to follow his lead to help raise money for the charity, whose aim is to increase awareness of bowel cancer. The disease claimed the life of the former West Ham and England captain at the age of 51 in February 1993.

"All you have to do in pre-season is to have a friendly match and charge the players a fiver and donate all the monies raised to the charity. It will raise over a £100 and it's as easy as that."

West Ham are in the second year of a formal three-year partnership with the Bobby Moore Fund (Registered Charity No. 1089464) and are involved in many fundraising initiatives. On Saturday 8 August, the club will stage the second Bobby Moore Cup when SSC Napoli visit the Boleyn Ground.

On the day, £1 from the sale of every match ticket will go to the Fund. In addition, West Ham will match each £1 raised to double the total amount donated to the charity.

Click here for more information about the Bobby Moore Cup, including details of the reduced ticket prices.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FUND