AFC Stoneham has teamed up with cancer charity Abby's Heroes

AFC Stoneham, the largest football club in the South of England with more than a hundred teams, has announced an 18-month collaboration with Abby’s Heroes to help raise funds and awareness for the charity.

Abby’s Heroes supports children with cancer and their families across the South Coast.

AFC Stoneham has a long-standing tradition of community engagement and supporting local groups and charities.

Mark and Vicky Edwards from AFC Stoneham were joined by Nikki Powell from Womble Bond Dickinson along with David Fawcett and Richard Blythin from Abby’s Heroes for the launch. (Image: Abby’s Heroes)

The partnership has been made possible thanks to the support of the Southampton office of law firm Womble Bond Dickinson.

Nikki Powell, a partner at the firm, said: "Womble Bond Dickinson are proud to help bring Abby’s Heroes and AFC Stoneham together in a fundraising partnership that will make a tangible difference for families facing childhood cancer on the South Coast.

"As a firm rooted in the South Coast, we’re equally committed to backing community organisations and sport in our region and are delighted that this partnership will help develop grassroots football for girls and women, so that opportunity and participation grow at every level.

"This collaboration reflects what matters to us: supporting brilliant local causes and investing in the next generation."

David Fawcett, from Abby’s Heroes, said: "We are delighted to partner with AFC Stoneham and are very excited to get involved in a number of initiatives with the club over the next 18 months.

"We are extremely grateful to Nikki and the team at Womble Bond Dickinson for their amazing support over the last two years and for making this initiative happen."

Mark Stupple, chairman of AFC Stoneham, added: "We are looking forward to supporting Abby’s Heroes in a number of ways including becoming our chosen charity for our annual tournament which attracts over 5,000 people.

"Several of our teams will have Abby’s Heroes on their shirts and we will be encouraging our teams to become actively involved with the charity."

As part of the partnership the club recently unveiled two perimeter boards promoting the charity at their stadium in Eastleigh.