- Friday 28 April 2017 is #FootballShirtFriday raising funds and awareness for the fight against bowel cancer
- Initiative is in its fifth year supporting the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK
- Legendary West Ham United and England captain died from the disease in 1993, aged just 51
The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK is encouraging men, women and children to dig out their football shirts and wear them proudly on Friday 28 April to help fund life-saving research into bowel cancer.
Taking place during bowel cancer awareness month, Football Shirt Friday is returning for the fifth year with support from well-known faces such as West Ham United and England legend Sir Geoff Hurst, Hammers fans Ray Winstone and Bianca Westwood.
The fundraising initiative, which asks people to wear their football shirt and donate £2 to the Bobby Moore Fund, draws inspiration from one of the most famous images of Bobby taken at the 1970 World Cup, where he swapped football shirts with Brazil legend Pelé. Seen as a sign of respect between the opposing players, it is a gesture that has been recreated by footballers worldwide ever since.
Former West Ham and England goalkeeper David James said: "Bobby Moore is a true hero and there isn’t a person in the game who doesn’t look up to him and what he achieved, both for our country and for football as a sport.
"As a football supporter, the allegiance with and belief you have in your own team is absolutely unwavering. We need to take that spirit and apply it to beating bowel cancer sooner. We will make progress and we will win."
TV presenter Clare Balding OBE said: "Bobby Moore was more than just a footballer; he was an inspiration both on and off the pitch.
"The image of Bobby holding the World Cup aloft in 1966 is so poignant and serves as a reminder of why it’s important to raise funds for life-saving research. Wherever you are on Friday, make sure you’re wearing a football shirt."
Bobby’s widow, Stephanie Moore MBE, set up the fund in partnership with Cancer Research UK to raise money for research into the disease. To date, over £23m has been raised to fund groundbreaking bowel cancer research.
She said: "We want to see the whole nation get behind Football Shirt Friday, wearing their team’s colours with pride and believing that together we can and will beat bowel cancer.
"We have made enormous progress in the last 50 years but sadly bowel cancer still kills 44 people in the UK every day. By joining forces, raising funds and channelling that unbreakable spirit of a football fan to support the Bobby Moore Fund, we can all help bring forward the day when bowel cancer is cured."
Whether your colours are red, blue or canary yellow, get your team together on Friday 28 April and make Bobby proud.
Visit www.footballshirtfriday.org to find out more.
To donate £2 to the Bobby Moore Fund, text GOAL002 to 70070. Texts cost £2 plus 1 standard rate text. Cancer Research UK receives £2. Click here for terms and conditions.
Join the conversation on Twitter using #FootballShirtFriday or on the OfficialBobbyMooreFund Facebook page.