Jonjo Heuerman is no ordinary West Ham United fan.
His mum Donna and dad Gary first contacted the club back in August to explain that the eight-year-old Jonjo was planning to walk from the centre-circle at Wembley Stadium to the Boleyn Ground to raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK. Since then, the club have been right behind his amazing idea, which follows previous fundraising efforts by his older sister Megan.
Jonjo's grandmother Lynda passed away on 17 February 2009 from bowel cancer, eight days before the anniversary of Bobby Moore's tragic death from the same illness on 24 February 1993. Now, 18 years later, Jonjo will set out on that date to walk 23 miles from the national stadium to Upton Park. He plans to arrive on Saturday 26 February, just before the Hammers take on Liverpool.
Jonjo, from Kent, said: "I am very excited and I want to raise lots of money for the Bobby Moore Fund. I need to do it over three days because it is a long way and I am only eight.
"I will be walking with my Mummy and Daddy and will be collecting money along the way. I am being helped by the local area Cancer Research UK office who will be speaking with the Bobby Moore Fund for me and they will be helping with all of the money I collect too.
"The walk is very long and my Mummy and Daddy are helping me organise things. I want to raise £10,000 or more because my sister raised £9,500 last year for our local hospice in memory of my Nanny and I want to beat her amount."
Jonjo's story has attracted huge interest with fans on Facebook and Twitter starting to follow him, with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Pixie Lott and Jamie Cullum all taking up his cause. The walk itself will take in six London boroughs and Newham Police have agreed to support the last leg of his walk from Stratford to Green Street, with bucket collections along the route.
The family will lay a wreath at the 1966 FIFA World Cup winners' statue before continuing on to the stadium and finishing on the pitch.
Among those backing Jonjo are club principal partners SBOBET, with a £500 pledge already to the fund and an invitation to the family to raise more awareness at a future West Ham game.
Bill Mummery, SBOBET Executive Director said: "I received an email from Jonjo and was very moved by his story and his proposed walk in memory of his Nan and support of the Bobby Moore Cancer Charity.
"I telephoned Jonjo's parents to pledge our support and suggested how we might provide additional help
"This is an excellent opportunity for us to help a family who are avid West Ham supporters, the Bobby Moore Fund and an excellent local community initiative. I very much looking forward to meeting Jonjo and his family at West Ham to congratulate him on his magnificent efforts"
Jonjo's links
www.fornannyandbobby.piczo.com
www.justgiving.com/fornannyandbobby
www.twitter.com/jonjoheuerman
www.facebook.com/jonjos.walk