Vale donate signed ball and signed shirt

Bill Sykes and several of his army colleagues are seen here with Vale boss Micky Adams and Norman Smurthwaite after being presented with a signed shirt and signed ball which will hopefully help them reach their target for the Newlife Charity

Vale fan Bill Sykes, a Warrant Officer in the British Army, and several of his army colleagues are planning on running the London Marathon this year to raise money for charity.

A team of seven of them intend to take on the course wearing full kit, weighing in at 20kg, to raise money for the Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children in Cannock.

Newlife is a wonderful organisation that supports disabled and terminally ill children with specialist equipment, nurse-led support services and medical research and they do excellent work for children nationwide.

The lads are looking for any sponsorship that would assist them to achieve a respectable sum (their target is £50,000).

They already have the backing of the Express & Star, Signal radio and Radio Stoke and are looking for people who are willing to sponsor the lads in any way they can, be it advertising, collections etc.

.billbo989@aol.comIf anyone is interested in bidding for the shirt, which will be framed, or if you are interested in any other form of sponsorship, you can contact Bill at

http://www.justgiving.com/Bill-Sykes2To donate for a very good cause, please go to

Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children – Company Registration Number 2833372