THE RAFFLE for a signed football shirt will go ahead thanks to help from one of AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League stars.

A framed Cherries shirt was stolen from Dorset Children Foundation’s (DCF) shop window at Old Christchurch Road, Boscombe, in September.

The charity launched an appeal immediately to try and track down the sought after piece of football memorabilia.

The shirt has not been found, but Cherries’ Steve Cook saw the news online and organised for a replacement to be donated to DCF.

“I saw online about the shirt being stolen. You see things like this online and fortunately nowadays you can try and help,” he said.

“I didn’t have to think too long about helping out and all the lads were more than happy to get the shirt signed to raise some money for a very good cause.

“It’s great to give something back to the town and the area. It’s what the club is all about and as long as we have this mindset of helping out, the public will appreciate our support.

“We see a lot of young children around the club and it’s never nice to see something taken away in connection to them."

The defender and AFC Bournemouth legend Steve Fletcher joined Mason White - who has been supported by DCF - to present the replacement shirt.

DCF trustee member Patsy Hallmey said it was great to be able to continue with the shirt raffle and all tickets sold before the original shirt was stolen will be entered into the draw.

“I got a call from Steve Cook and he said he was disgusted with what had happened,” she said.

“We’re really grateful and it is fantastic he has come down to present the shirt.

“Dorset Children’s Foundation is charity partner with the club for the Junior Cherries for this year and they have been very supportive to us.”

Local business CMP Print kindly offered to frame the shirt free of charge for DCF and director Paul Dawe said: “We have worked with the charity for a few years.

“I got in touch with Jimmy Glass after hearing about the shirt being stolen and found out Steve Cook had organised something.

“It made sense for us to come together on it and hopefully the raffle will raise a lot of money.”

Tickets for the raffle, which is likely to raise more than £500, are available from all three of DCF’s stores, with the draw for the shirt taking place in December.