On-fire Arsenal captain Robin van Persie and his teammates will be donating their wages to charity as the club dedicates Saturday’s Premier League tie with Fulham to Save the Children.
The players and many of the club’s staff are giving up a day’s pay to help the charity’s work with some of the world’s poorest children.
Arsenal will also be donating 50p from every programme sale to the cause.
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: “Arsenal has a tradition on and off the pitch of bringing the best out of young people and our partnership with Save the Children is built on the shared belief that every child deserves a basic education and the opportunity to fulfil their potential. I hope all supporters will take the opportunity to rally behind the dedicated matchday this Saturday and help to make the day a huge success.”
Save the Children’s chief executive Justin Forsyth, an Arsenal season ticket-holder who lives in Highbury Hill, Highbury, said: “This dedicated matchday will help transform children’s lives at home and abroad through education.”
To celebrate the announcement, defenders Andre Santos and Johan Djourou joined a training session for parents run by the charity - part of an education project called Families and Schools Together - at the Emirates Stadium yesterday (Monday).
Last season the club raised �189,000 for homelessness charity Centrepoint by dedicating its home fixture against Fulham. The club is urging fans to get involved. Visit www.justgiving.com/beagoonerbeagiver to donate.
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