SCHOOLS URGED TO TURN WORLD CUP FEVER INTO FUNDRAISING FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER

Football legend Gary Lineker has been sharing his penalty-taking tips withpupils from a school in Surrey to encourage teachers across the UK to sign up to CLIC Sargent’s Kick for Children with Cancer campaign this summer. 

Pupils from Carew Manor School, a community special school in Wallington, helped Gary launch this year’s annual football fundraiser for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent by practising their penalty skills. The school took part in the fundraising campaign last year and raised more than £750 through special sponsored matches and a ‘beat the goalie’ competition. Martin Midgley, Headteacher at Carew Manor School, was delighted to help CLIC Sargent launch this year’s campaign.

Martin says, “The whole school, teachers included, took part in Kick for Children with Cancer last year and we were really pleased to raise so much money for CLIC Sargent. We tailored our sponsored events to be inclusive and it was great to have the whole school involved. “CLIC Sargent is currently supporting two pupils at our school and we have become aware of how vital the help they provide is to families affected by childhood cancer. We’re going to be holding Kick for Children with Cancer events again this year and hopefully we can beat last year’s fundraising total,” added Martin. 

More than 450,000 children have taken part in Kick for Children with Cancersince the campaign launched five years ago and over £700,000 has been raised to date. Registration is now open for this year’s campaign with schools encouraged to hold events between May and July 2010. As well as raising money for CLIC Sargent, schools and clubs can choose to keep 25% of the funds. 

Top football icon and CLIC Sargent Patron Gary Lineker says, “With the World Cup kicking off in June, football fever will be sweeping the country. Penalties will surely come into play in the tournament at some point and it’s been great talking to pupils about their technique. Practising how to beat the goalie is a fun way to get fit and active and I think you’re never too young to start trying to score a spot kick! “I know only too well how important it is for families to have the specialist help that CLIC Sargent provides.

By taking part in Kick for Children with Cancer, whether it’s through a sponsored penalty shoot-out or a fancy dress match, you’ll be helping families affected by childhood cancer across the UK,” adds Gary. Kick for Children with Cancer encourages schools and youth football clubs to organise sponsored football-themed events for children of all ages and abilities to raise money for CLIC Sargent. The charity provides a free event pack with everything teachers and youth club leaders need to hold an event including fundraising tips, advice on how to get publicity for the event and template certificates. 

Every day 10 families are told that their child has cancer. Diagnosis oftencomes as a shock. Treatment usually starts straightaway and can last up tothree years. As the children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent is there… with clinical, practical and emotional support, every step of the way.

For more information visit www.clicsargent.org.uk