Football Shirt Friday enters a new season on 26 April, when football fans and celebrities come together to tackle bowel cancer in memory of Bobby Moore, the legendary World-Cup winning England football captain, who died of the disease 31 years ago.
Football supporters across the UK are encouraged to don their favourite football shirts, take a picture, share it on social media and donate to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK. This year Football Shirt Friday is supported by a star-studded line up of famous faces, who have joined forces to help get fans involved in the campaign by showing off their favourite football shirts and sharing their most treasured football memories in a new series of Shirt-Stories.
Among the stars supporting the campaign are football icons Harry Kane MBE, Bayern Munich striker and England captain; Izzy Christiansen, former lioness; David Seaman and David James, ex-England goalkeepers; as well as Lauren Hemp, Manchester City forward and lioness. They are joined by comedian and football aficionado Maisie Adam, presenter Liam MacDevitt, as well as YouTubers and football content creators Danny Aarons and Ellis Platten.
All the money raised from Football Shirt Friday goes directly to support life-saving bowel cancer research through the Bobby Moore Fund. Set up in 1993 by Bobby’s widow Stephanie Moore OBE, it funds pioneering research into bowel cancer to find better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat the disease. Research is vital so people can live better, longer lives free from the fear of cancer.
Over the last 31 years, the fund has assisted significant progress and seen mortality rates for bowel cancer fall by 30%. However, with bowel cancer being the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, more research is needed.
“Bobby would be amazed to see how much progress has been made in bowel cancer research over the last 31 years”, said Stephanie Moore OBE. “Bowel cancer is a relentless disease that still takes the lives of too many, but together we are making a difference. No matter which team you support, whether you’re the biggest football fan in the world or don’t know the offside rule, on 26 April we all join forces to tackle bowel cancer in Bobby’s memory.”
Speaking about his continued support of the campaign Harry Kane MBE said: “It’s a pleasure to support Football Shirt Friday again this year and see so many people come together for such a great cause. All you’ve got to do to be a part of it is wear your favourite football shirt, share a picture on social media and donate. The more people get involved, the more money is raised to tackle bowel cancer, so make sure you also get your mates on board!”
Izzy Christiansen, whose family was impacted by bowel cancer recently, added: “It’s important to raise awareness of bowel cancer, so people know what symptoms to look out for. It does save lives. Having lost my aunt 18 months ago, I’m keen to help others learn more about the disease. On 26 April you can help us make a difference. Let’s all put on our favourite football shirt and show what the football community can do when we come together!”
“Football Shirt Friday is an amazing opportunity to help tackle bowel cancer”, David Seaman said. He also has a personal connection to the cause: “Looking back to when my dad got diagnosed, at the time it came as a huge shock. Luckily his cancer got picked up early in a screening and he’s now cancer free. But 46 people still die of the disease every day in the UK. We can change that. Show us which team you support and wear, share and donate this Football Shirt Friday!”
Maisie Adam, famously known for her love of football, added: “I personally love any opportunity to rep my football club but doing it for a good cause makes it so much more special. Seeing all these football fans from across the UK rally to tackle bowel cancer is amazing – and I’m excited to be a part of it this year. And you can too! Dig out your finest football garments and wear it with pride on 26 April to help tackle bowel cancer.”
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Whatever you do and wherever you are, wear your shirt with pride on Friday 26 April and donate £5 to the Bobby Moore Fund.
To get involved please visit Footballshirtfriday.org
Join the conversation using @BobbyMooreFund or on Facebook at OfficialBobbyMooreFund
