COLCHESTER United are preparing to finish the season with a bang as the club aims to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The U’s have officially teamed up with the Tom Bowdidge Foundation to help paint the town blue and white in the lead up to the club’s last home game of the season.

The foundation, which was set up in Tom’s memory after he died fighting a rare stomach cancer in October, is affiliated to the Teenage Cancer Trust, one of the club’s charities of the year.

Proud Dad Richard Bowdidge, from West Bergholt, said: “We are thrilled to be connected with the Take Over The Town campaign.

“It will really raise the profile of the Tom Bowdidge Foundation and help raise valuable funds for research into teenage cancers as well as providing physical and emotional support.”

He added: “The Blue and White days are a great idea - our local primary school Heathlands recently had a Wear Blue to School day and it created quite an impact to see a sea of blue in the community.”

A number of events will take place in the lead up to the game against Brentford, on Saturday, April 26, including a Nando's takeover on Tuesday, April 22.

Shops, businesses and schools are also being sought to take part in a Blue and White Day, on Thursday, April 24. Each individual would pay £1 to the foundation.

For more details, call the club on 01206 755146 or email media@colchesterunited.net.