Ebbsfleet United will be holding a bucket collection at Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup match v Havant & Waterlooville in aid of 12-year-old Jack Howard. Collectors from Jack’s campaign will be around the ground on Saturday and gladly accept donations small and large.

The Gravesend Grammar School pupil desperately needs funds for life-saving treatment in the USA as he is suffering from an aggressive kidney cancer. It’s a fight against time for Jack, who fought against the disease with initial success but saw the condition relapse after 23 months’ treatment. Now his family are desperate to fund treatment and have launched a crowd-funding campaign for contributions to Jack’s cause.

The project aim is to raise £250,000 as a matter of urgency and the campaign page where donations can be made online is at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/jack-howard. Fleet and Havant fans are asked that if they can possibly donate – at the ground or online – to please do so. A bank account has also been set up for direct donations – please contact Longfield Hardware on 01474 707274 for details.

• Further to the ground collection, there is also a charity 9-a-side football tournament on Saturday, October 8th in aid of Jack’s campaign at Manor Field, Hartley, starting at 1.30pm. There’s a £10 per person donation and teams can join by contacting 07793 020490 to register. Spectators of all ages are welcome, with activities on hand, and admission is via donation. (Maximum team numbers are 12 with three subs and places are limited so early registration is advised.)