THE widow of World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore joined students of the Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston for a two-day workshop highlighting the importance of general fitness, writes Benedict Cordy.
Stephanie Moore, whose world-famous husband died of bowel cancer in 1993, explained the workshop at the Norfolk school had been a great experience for everyone involved: "I've absolutely loved it, we have had beautiful weather and this is a very happy school with fabulous children who have been really interested in the charity and what we are achieving and trying to do. Very receptive, vibrant kids, it's been a pleasure," she said.
Norwich City's Head of Physiotherapy Neil Reynolds and Head of Sports Science Dave Carolan supported the event along with first team players Adam Drury and Darren Huckerby, taking part in a Q&A session with the pupils.
Stephanie explained how important it was to use high-profile people such as the Norwich City players in passing on the Charity's message.
"It makes all the difference because it glamorises the charity and if we can raise the profile of bowel cancer through people like this, young fit people, then the general population will think if they can represent that then I can talk about it - I possibly have those symptoms and will go to the doctor.
"This means people don't have to die of embarrassment, it doesn't have to be the country's second-highest killing cancer, it's very curable, over 80 per cent if diagnosed early."
England legend Bobby Moore
The Bobby Moore Fund aims to raise awareness of Bowel Cancer, the disease that killed the former England Captain, however Stephanie explained that healthy living was the main topic of her two days at the school.
"What I have been talking about is the need to live a healthy lifestyle and that's eating fresh fruit and veg every day, getting exercise, not eating too much red meat, definitely not smoking and when they are of age drinking alcohol in moderation.
"We now know that only about 8 per cent of bowel cancer case are genetic, it is mainly through unhealthy lifestyles so teaching children early how to live well is important. It's the same for heart and many other forms of cancer. These are basic messages and if we can get this through to children they will make healthy adults."
The children involved in the two-day excercise are too young to remember Moore who died in 1993 at the age of 51, but Stephanie was sure that the pupils would have heard of the former England star.
Bobby Moore kisses the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley in 1966
"Most of their dads have told them who Bobby Moore was. His sculpture now stands outside Wembley and West Ham, he is still a legend and until we win the World Cup again I think he will continue to be so. The 1966 team, who are still great friends, are greeted as heroes wherever they go."
The statue of Bobby Moore greets England fans at the main entrance to Wembley, and Mrs Moore explained what a proud moment it was seeing her husband remembered at the home of football.
"It was a long procedure because we had to wait for Wembley to open of course so it was kept in hiding for a year. Lord Norman Foster saw the design and said it had to be twice normal size other it would be dwarfed by the wonderful arch.
"We ended up with the sculpture that Phillip Jackson had planned and it is an amazing piece of work, I am so proud," she said.
The Bobby Moore statue at the entrance to Wembley Stadium
"On match days there are hundreds of people around that sculpture touching the England caps. It's right that Bobby should be gracing the entrance of Wembley, he viewed it as his home ground."
If you would like to learn more about the Bobby Moore Fund visit: cancerresearchuk.org/bobbymoorefund
