Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois recently visited the William Hill betting shop in London Road Rayleigh to place a bet for charity as part of William Hill’s Bobby Moore Fund for Beating Bowel Cancer.
Once a year, William Hill organise a charity sport shirt day when staff and punters are encouraged to wear their favourite sport shirt and to take out bets for charity with all winnings being donated to McMillan’s Beat Bowel Cancer campaign. Sport shirt day is named after West Ham and England legend, Bobby Moore, who led England to their historic victory over Germany at Wembley in 1966.
Mark chose a Commons and Lord’s rugby shirt, which he was awarded after playing veteran’s rugby for the House of Commons and Lord’s rugby team versus the Welsh Assembly several years ago. Mark placed a £50 charity bet on 40-1 bet for Arsenal to beat Atlético Madrid by 3-1 in UEFA Europa League. Mark also made a small cash donation to the fund during his visit to the shop.
Speaking about the visit, Mark said:
“This initiative in memory of England Captain Bobby Moore is a good way to raise the profile of the fight against bowel cancer and also provides an opportunity to win some money at the Bookies expense in favour of this very valuable cause. I understand that last year the campaign raised over £44,000 for Beating Bowel Cancer which is a really valuable contribution. I would like to thank William Hill for laying on this event and I am only sad that in the end the result was 1-0 to Atlético Madrid and I didn’t win the bet.”