Neville to Spearhead Oxfam Campaign

Manchester United defender Gary Neville is trying to encourage his Old Trafford team-mates to donate their Christmas Day salary to renowned charity Oxfam, to help them crack down on a lack of education for children in Africa.

Fellow England internationals and Tottenham Hotspur stars Jermain Defoe and Ledley King are also backing the charity and will attempt to persude their football friends to donate.

Neville, also a PFA representative, revealed: "I’ll encourage the players at United dig deep for this but we really need players from all teams and divisions to get behind the initiative."

Just over 100 million children cannot afford to pay school fees as little as an annual £5 and, with the backing of high-profile stars, England frontman Jermain Defoe hopes they can do what they can do to help, he commented: : "As professional players we’re lucky to be paid for a job we love and if when we walk out onto the pitch at Christmas we can do our bit to help send children to school in Africa"

PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor added: "We are delighted to be working with Oxfam on this worthwhile initiative and we’re confident players from all leagues will get right behind it. This is their opportunity to shine not only on the pitch but off it by really make a difference to the lives of children and show their caring side for society and the world which they have always done and will continue to do in a dignified way." 

Click here for more information on Oxfam.