Runcorn brothers could be off to Anfield in next round of FA Cup charity mission

Jan 7 2010 by Paul Glynn, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A HALTON fundraising campaign found the nation’s football fans still full of festive cheer as the third round of the FA Cup kicked off last weekend.

The first action of the New Year saw Manchester United suffer a shock defeat to Leeds and Liverpool narrowly avoid exiting the coveted competition away to Reading.

However, Runcorn2Wembley, which has tracked it from the outset found itself collecting money for Cancer Research at MK Dons, as they lost 2-1 to Premier League side Burnley on Saturday.

Brothers Richard and Robert Knowles have so far raised more than £2,500 for Cancer Research along their road to their £5,000 target and will now travel to either Liverpool or Reading in the next round, depending on the replay result.

The campaign started in August at Runcorn Linnets and has continued by following the winning team in subsequent rounds.

Richard, 35, and Robert, 34, continue to raise money in memory of their father by collecting from fans before each game.

Richard said: “Every club has backed the campaign publicly with information on their websites and support at games and hopefully people will give generously.

“The highlight so far has been meeting football legend Sir Tom Finney.

“Cancer has had a direct impact on our lives, as our father died when my brother and I were very young.

“He was a great footballer for Runcorn in the 1960s and this seems an appropriate way to raise money.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles or call 07970 063 451.