FORMER Arsenal and England footballer Martin Keown helped kickstart a campaign to get young players in Oxfordshire raising funds for a cancer charity.

The Wheatley-born player joined children from St Joseph’s School, in Headington, to launch the Kick for Children with Cancer campaign to raise cash for Clic Sargent.

Youngsters are being encouraged to take part in sponsored football-themed events between now and August to help pay for centres such as Clic Court in Headington, where families affected by childhood cancer can stay, free of charge, while their child receives treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

To register to take part call 08451 202232 or visit clicsargent.org.uk/ football. Pictured with Mr Keown are, from left, St Joseph’s Year Six pupils Alannah Johnson, Thomas Kloska, Jasper Mendiola, Jamie Francis, Roisin Broderick and Anna Hutton.

Picture: Mark Bassett