The Football League has announced Marie Curie Cancer Care as its Official Charity Partner for the 2010/11 season.
The charity, which provides care, free of charge, to terminally ill patients in their own homes and in its hospices, was chosen following a vote of over 25,000 Football League fans last season.
As a result, Marie Curie will benefit from unrivalled exposure across The League, including support from all 72 clubs.
The partnership will officially launch on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 with the 'Daffodil Derby' Mascot Race at Southwell Racecourse, Nottinghamshire where Football League mascots will complete a stretch of the course to begin the fundraising effort.
Building on the success of last season's work with Help for Heroes, The Football League and Marie Curie have set a fundraising target of £500,000 for the 2010/11 campaign.
Fundraising activities are set to include bucket collections and fan initiatives, as well as a dedicated week of action from 7th to 13th March 2011 where all 72 League clubs will stage a game in support of Marie Curie.
Greg Clarke, Chairman of The Football League, said: "Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Football League are at the heart of communities throughout the UK.
"It is therefore fitting that The League is working with the charity this season and I would encourage all Football League fans to show their support for the partnership in any way possible."
Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: "I am delighted that Marie Curie Cancer Care has been chosen as The Football League's Official Charity Partner for the 2010/11 season.
Our goal is to raise £500,000 to ensure more local people with a terminal illness have the choice of free home care from Marie Curie Nurses. If we reach our target, we'll be able to fund 25,000 hours of free Marie Curie nursing care.
The benefits of this partnership will last a long time after the final whistle of the season has gone and I want to thank all The Football League staff, clubs and fans for playing their part."
Millwall Chief Executve Andy Ambler added: "We have a long and proud tradition of supporting charities. Last season, we embraced the League's official charity, Help for Heroes, and our supporters once again showed unbelievable generosity by raising over £20,000 for the cause.
We are delighted that we will have the opportunity to work with Marie Curie, trying to raise more funds and increase awareness of the superb work they do."
* Founded in 1948, Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the UK's largest charities. Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, it expects to provide care to around 29,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in its hospices this year. The charity is best known for its network of Marie Curie Nurses working in the community to provide end-of-life care, totally free of charge, for patients and their families in their own homes.
To access the Marie Curie Nursing Service talk to your GP, district nurse or discharge nurse. For more information, please visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk
