A Southend football star attended a charity event to support breast cancer support.

Anton Ferdinand, captain of Southend United Football Club, opened the Wear-It-Pink event on Friday in Woodcutters Avenue, Leigh.

The event ran a raffle and cake sale where all proceeds went to support breast cancer patients.

The organiser, Anne Drake, said: “We were really pleased that Anton was able to make it. Anton said to me he really wanted to get involved with this fundraising. It meant a lot to him because his brother, Rio’s, wife died from breast cancer.

“About 40 people came to the event. We really appreciate that Anton was able to make time in his busy schedule to come. He had training at 10am, and he came to open the event at 9am. He’s a really lovely and friendly guy.”

Ms Drake, 58, who is a breast cancer survivor herself,wants to support others who are going through the illness. She said: “We raised more than £200 but we are still counting. It was a really fun day, a lot of us girls just having fun and sharing our stories. I would do it again with my friends next year.

“Southend United Football Club has also very kindly donated a football to us for an auction. We plan to auction the prized item at the next event so we can maximise the amount of money.”