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Keeping Up With Youngster's Charity Challenge
Written by Newcastle Utd
Young Ollie Chaplin from Whitley Bay is hoping to complete a 'keepy up' challenge to raise money for charity before Saturday's game against West Brom
A young football fan and Sir Bobby Robson Foundation fundraiser is set to complete his latest charity challenge on the pitch at St. James' Park at the weekend.
Ollie Chaplin, from Whitley Bay, has undertaken a number of activities to raise money for the North East cancer charity, including a World Cup sweepstake, raffling a football shirt and participating in the Junior Great North Run.
Now, the 12-year-old Valley Gardens Middle School pupil is in the middle of a sponsored challenge to complete 10,000 'keepy ups' in just a month - and he hopes to complete his task at St. James' Park before Newcastle take on West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Ollie has been playing keepy up everywhere he goes for the last three weeks, averaging over 350 a day, and in recognition of his fundraising efforts, door supplier Distinction Doors has given him the chance to be a mascot at the Magpies' game against the Baggies.
Fittingly, Sir Bobby played more than 200 games for the Black Country outfit in a distinguished career before going on to manage his boyhood Club, and United have agreed that he can complete his challenge on the pitch in front of his family, friends and thousands of supporters.
"It is a tough challenge but I'm willing to work hard to achieve 10,000 keepy ups to help raise money for an amazing charity," said Ollie. "I'm a bit nervous but very excited to be finishing the challenge on the pitch at St. James' Park.
"Thank you to everyone who has already supported me. I'd like to raise as much money as possible for the charity."
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation helps find effective ways to detect and treat cancer. It funds projects, including the clinical trials of new drugs, that directly benefit patients from across the North East and Cumbria and which contribute significantly to international research into cancer.
To support Ollie and help him reach his goal of £200 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, text SBRF49 £2 to 70070, or visit https://www.justgiving.com/Ollies10000.