Everton: Toffees prove club’s heart is still in Liverpool

Everton have named the Liverpool Unites charity, set up in response to the murder of 11-year-old Everton fan Rhys Jones in 2007, as the club's official charitable partner for the 2009/10 season.

The charity aims to improve the lives of young people on Merseyside. After swiftly raising its initial target of £100,000 for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund, Liverpool Unites now continues to support the fund and other initiatives in the city. Everton plan to raise more than £100,000 by the end of the season.

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"The Liverpool Unites charity has done a fantastic job in our local community since it was launched," said Everton chief executive Robert Elstone. "It has proved to be important for the people of Liverpool and it made perfect sense to us at Everton to link in our fundraising activity.

"Everton and Kitbag hope to raise well in excess of £100,000 between now and the end of the season and we look forward to working with Liverpool Unites alongside our own Everton Foundation to see the money invested in the right type of programmes that will benefit our community."

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The club has teamed up with record-breaking retail partner Kitbag to introduce a limited edition Everton shirt to raise money for the charity.