England players pledge to donate wages to charity

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England’s national football team has collectively agreed to donate their international match fees to various charities up until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The players have pledged to donate a minimum of £1 million to various charities such as WellChild, the Association of Children’s Hospices, and the Bobby Moore fund for cancer research.

The Bobby Moore fund honors the late captain of the 1966 England World Cup champions, who passed away in 1993 of bowel cancer (age 51). Bowel cancer, one of the most deadly forms of cancer in the UK, is the fund's primary concern.

"Each player works in some way with local or national charities but as a team we decided to use our role as England footballers to not only contribute money and time but to also help raise awareness of particular issues," said captain John Terry.

Chief executive of the Football Association (FA) Brain Barwick said of the gesture, “I am obviously very pleased the whole squad has taken this initiative. It puts an extra kick into them appearing for their country.”

Bobby Moore’s widow, Stephanie, was also very appreciative of the generosity.

She said, “I am overjoyed the squad have chosen to support the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research and know Bobby would have been delighted.”