ALAN Shearer fans can bid for a Blackburn Rovers football and raise cash for their favourite charity.

The Students' Union at Staffordshire University are auctioning off the signed ball after it was won at the start of last season by their general manager Jackie Booth.

They hope to raise plenty of cash for charity from the auction, but realise they have more chance of doing it in Blackburn rather than Stafford.

Student union spokesman Gary Clarke said: "Down here there are a lot of Stoke fans, so I don't think a Rovers ball will go down very well.

"Also many students don't have a lot of money to spend on a signed football.

"As for me I come from Rawtenstall and am a Burnley fan, so I don't want it!"

Now the Students' Union are inviting bids for the ball.

The highest bidder will get the ball and the chance to choose which charity the money should go to.

Anyone interested can either write to the Charities Appeal Team, Alistair Leaman (Rag), Student Union Office, Staffordshire University, Beaconside, Stafford, ST18 OAD, or call (01785) 353311 with your bid. The closing date is Monday, July 8.

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