Photo Caption
Forces2Canaries Supporters Group with Bryan Gunn



Forces2Canaries Supporters Group will be conducting a Sponsored Event on 23 June 2007, to raise money for the Bryan Gunn Leukaemia Appeal.

Forces2Canaries gunning to cover the board

Members of the Forces2Canaries Supporters Group are taking their own steps to raise money for the Bryan Gunn Leukaemia Appeal.

On 23 June 2007, the group will be conducting a sponsored event, which will take in visiting all the sites as depicted on the Norwich Monopoly Board, covering approximately 15 miles in the process. The event will start at Norwich International Airport and finish at Carrow Road, taking in sites such as the University of East Anglia, Norwich Castle, The Forum and The Norfolk Broads en-route.

It is hoped to raise as much money as possible which will presented to the Bryan Gunn Leukaemia Appeal. For those that wish to contribute to the sponsorship monies a link can be found to donate to the charity at the Forces2Canaries website, which can be found at:
Link to Forces2Canaries

The Gunn Appeal was launched by The Dove Trust in April 1993 following the death of Bryan and Susan Gunn's two-year-old daughter, Francesca, who died from leukaemia in autumn 1992.

Fundraising began in early 1993 with a Norwich Evening News campaign, 'Gunn's Golden Goals'. Readers pledged money for every goal scored by the Canaries during the climax of the 1992/93 Premiership season. The campaign raised £10,000 in a month.

From that successful start, the Gunns, appeal chairman Keith Colman and The Dove Trust, began fundraising in earnest. Bryan Gunn took up the story: "The cast of 'An Evening with Gary Lineker' came back to the Theatre Royal, Norwich in September 1993 for a special charity performance to mark the £50,000 milestone. The cast was supplemented with the Norwich City squad, along with Chairman, Robert Chase and Manager, Mike Walker."

A football memorabilia auction followed, comprising donations from all the English and Scottish Premiership and Football League clubs, with BBC's Stewart White as auctioneer. Bryan's home town of Invergordon held a fishing match, schools had non-uniform days and children sent in their pocket money. Sponsored walks, swims and golf days were staged, as the people of Norfolk took the leukaemia appeal to heart.

Bryan Gunn's stint as Sheriff of Norwich in 2002/03, during which his appeal was the Civic Charity, reinvigorated interest in the cause and many local organisations continue to run fundraising events on behalf of the appeal.

The Supporters Group, which was formed in 2003, is an official Norwich City Supporters Group for members and ex-members of the Armed Forces and their families. Although many of it’s members are ex-service personnel who have returned to Norfolk after touring the world at Her Majesty’s pleasure, there are still a number of members who are still serving in the Regular Forces and have recently conducted tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.



Background Information:



Norwich City - FORCES2CANARIES
Supporters Group a Force to be reckoned with
21 October 2005

A little out of the ordinary, Forces2Canaries is an official Norwich City Supporters Group for current and ex-members of the Armed Forces and their families. The group, formed in 2003, is focussed on promoting and supporting Norwich City Football Club while offering a news service to armed fans who find themselves away from the hallowed turf. Indeed, recently the Group has provided questions for a quiz held by the Royal Anglians whilst serving in the Gulf. The two winning supporters, one from the Norwich camp and one from the Ipswich camp were flown home for the recent local derby at Portman Road.

With membership currently numbering about thirty, backgrounds are wide ranging and diverse. From a Service Policeman and Stores Accountant in the Royal Navy, a Forensics Officer and Mover in the Royal Air Force to an ex-Crew Chief with the V Force in the Royal Air Force and ex-Medic in the Royal Navy. Serving members have recently conducted tours of Iraq, Cyprus, Antarctica and North America. Ages vary from 7 to 72.

The Supporters Group main form of communication is its own website, which is used to keep members up to date with the goings on at Carrow Road, and to keep local members posted on various Social Events held.

Recent initiatives have included a tour of Carrow Road, the provision of the Matchday Mascot and also presenting a Player of the Season Award at Carrow Road. In the future it is hoped to provide further functions for members. Those planned include a Christmas Social and a Supporters Group Football Tournament in conjunction with Capital and Northern Canaries. A visit to RAF Coltishall before its imminent closure is also planned.

To add a further stamp of approval to the group, current first team player Adam Drury has recently agreed to become the Patron for Forces2Canaries. Adam was an obvious choice as the defenders professionalism and determination personify the character of those that are serving and have served with the Armed Forces.

So interested in finding out more?
Membership to the Group costs £5 for an individual and £8 for a family. This includes access to Group Social Events, discounts on Forces2Canaries merchandise and the cost of producing the group's Player of the Season Award.

For more information, and a Membership Application form please visit http://www.forces2canaries.co.uk.

Supporters Group picture with Adam Drury
Back (left to right) Brian Stephens, Andy Stephens, Adam Drury, Colin Sendall, Rick Woods Front (left to right) Rob Stephens, Gareth Honeywood, Steve Wright, Phil Wall