Kit fitting

OK, so the kit from Cancer Research UK has come through and I've been trying everything on for size.

I've also been putting together the stickers, bucket and the other paraphernalia ready for the big kick-off.

Pictures of me will be done over the weekend and put on with my next post.

It's hard to believe we're in the middle of the summer with all this dismal weather about, but the Golf Open, Ashes series and rife football transfer speculation, it most defineitlye is!

Three weeks until the Football League season starts and four weeks until the Premiership and FA Cup.

Why not avoid the expensive Premiership ground and come along to see the non-league teams battle it out in the FA Cup; in fact come along to watch Runcorn Linnets play AFC Emley and help out with my collection at the same time.

For ease of use just click here to donate www.justgiving.com/richard-knowles

Game on

The positive news continues for this fundraising campaign as the Board of Runcorn Linnets FC has approved my collecting in the ground, before, during and after the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round game against AFC Emley.

The game is planned for Saturday August 15th at 3pm although this is subject to confirmation. I'll confirm kick-off time on this blog, on my twitter (richthemaster) and it'll also be on the Linnets' website - click here

I'm picking up my fundraising kit from Cancer Research UK next week and will upload pictures to this blog once I have it.

I'm aiming to raise £5,000 from this campaign but will not limit it to that. To donate please go to here

Everything is now in place for the start of this campaign, just waiting for August 15th and we'll be away.

Keep tuned for more this week.

The game

OK, I've picked the game to start my 10-month FA Cup fundraising campaign.

As luck would have it the team is the nearest team to my home in Frodsham.

I'll be following Runcorn Linnets FC as they take on AFC Emley on Sat 15 Aug at Wincham Park in the Extra Preliminary Round. Kick of is 3:00pm

For directions please click here

I'm now in contact with the charity (Cancer Research UK) about obtaining the correct equipment so I look like I'm officially collecting money. T-shirt and bucket arriving in the post next week.

The local council need to confirm if I need a licence to collect money outside the ground and I'm waiting for a reply to my request from Runcorn Linnets FC.

All donations welcome at www.justgiving.com/richard-knowles

From the beginning

The planning

After four years of planning I'm finally getting round to following the FA Cup from the first round to the final - all in the name of charity (Cancer Research UK). By the first round I mean the Extra Preliminary Round, which involves 406 teams battling to get on the 'Road to Wembley'.

Without replays there is scheduled to be 14 games so there could be lots of travelling. I'll be paying my entry to each ground and hope to raise money by shaking my bucket in the crowd, before, during and after the game.

I'll be detailing my journey through this blog and twittering (richthemaster) my thoughts and plans. Anyone who wants to join me at one or more match please let me know.

To donate either give me the money direct, come to one of the games (details to follow) or go to www.justgiving.com/richard-knowles