FOOTBALL fanatics are using their passion for the game to raise money for a charity trip to help combat HIV and Aids in Africa.
Chris Bullock, Mel Howell and Andy Bullock have already walked 22 miles from Fratton Park to Southampton's St Mary's stadium for Kick4Life – a charity that uses football to tackle poverty and disease in the developing world.
Their next mission is a sponsored football game at Playfootball.net at Roko, Portsmouth, where they hope to clock up even more money for the worthy cause.
Chris, 25, said: 'After visiting Egypt I decided I wanted to help charities and people in Third World countries. When I got information about Kick4Life I thought it was a charity I could be quite active in. I can use football, which I know a lot about, to help others.
'We did the walk and raised £1,500 which is brilliant. Since then we have done a few bits but the football game will be the next big fund-raising event for us.'
Chris, his girlfriend Mel, 20, and brother Andy hope the football tournament will help get them some way to the £6,000 they need to get to Lesotho in 2009 to educate people on the importance of staying healthy and getting checked for HIV and Aids.
Andy, 23, of Weyhill Close, Portchester, said: 'We are familiar faces at Roko. We are in the five-a-side league with our team FCPotatoheads and Roko was generous in providing the pitches, refs, fixtures and trophies for the occasion.
'We hope to repay them with a very successful event which will be enjoyed by local footballers - with people in Lesotho greatly benefitting too of course.'
The football tournament, starting at 2pm on July 20, will require 10 teams for the four games, ending with a semi final and final.
Chris, of Nightingale Road, Southsea, added: 'It should be a good day. A bit of fun and raising a lot of money for the charity.'
The money will be raised through players making a £10 donation to the charity. A £500 donation has already come from Upton McGougan Engineering Consultancy, based in Winchester, who have sponsored the event.
For more information on how to get involved in the event contact Chris Bullock on 07912066362. For information on the charity go to: www.kick4life.org.