On Friday, 22nd April, the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK is asking everyone to wear a football shirt on Football Shirt Friday to help raise money to beat bowel cancer.

Taking place during April’s bowel cancer awareness month, Football Shirt Friday raises money for vital research into the disease which took Bobby Moore’s life in 1993, at the age of just 51. 2016 not only marks the fourth annual Football Shirt Friday, but also fifty years since England held the World Cup, making it even more prominent to remember Bobby and the part he played in the country’s sporting legacy as Captain of the team.

The Journal is teaming up with the Somer Valley FM Sport Show to promote Football Shirt Friday in our local area. Sport Show host, Ian Nockolds, and Journal Editor, Becky Brooks, are supporting the event by encouraging Schools, businesses and community groups to sign up to the initiative where participants simply wear their favourite football shirt for the day, in return for paying a £2 donation to Cancer Research UK.

Ian said: “This is an easy, fun way to raise money for a great cause. You don’t just have to wear you favourite shirt, you don’t have to wear a current shirt, any shirt will do. You could even challenge your friends to pay more than the £2 to see you in the shirt of your greatest rivals. You’d certainly have to pay a lot more than that to see me in a Southampton top!”

The inspiration behind Football Shirt Friday comes from one of the most famous images of Bobby Moore, taken at the 1970 World Cup, where he swapped shirts with Brazilian legend, Pelé. Shown as a sign of respect between the opposing players, it’s a gesture that has been recreated by footballers worldwide ever since.

Whether your colours are red, blue or canary yellow, get your team together on Friday, 22nd April and make Bobby proud! To find out more, visit: www.footballshirtfriday.org. To donate £2 to the Bobby Moore Fund, text GOAL002 to 70070. Text costs £2 plus one standard rate text. Cancer Research UK receives £2. Ts&Cs at: www.justgiving.com/en/charities-terms-and-conditions.

Join the conversation on Twitter using @BobbyMoore Fund #FootballShirtFriday or on the Facebook page at: OfficialBobbyMooreFund.

If you are interested in supporting this event locally, you can visit: www.footballshirtfriday.org to sign up, or support our local fundraisers by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fsfriday.

Becky said: “We’d really like to see your pictures from the day, to see how you have been getting involved. This is also a campaign with a great web presence. If you are on Twitter, then please send your Football Shirt Friday photos to @MNRJournal, @thesportshow and @BobbyMooreFund using #FootballShirtFriday.”