Arsenal help to raise £500,000 for hospital

Arsenal stars Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are behind a new half-million-pound campaign for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The Premier League footballers and Arsenal ladies' midfielder Katie Chapman have pledged to help raise the vital funds for a new lung centre at the children's hospital.

Speaking before the launch today, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "The team and I met some patients from Great Ormond Street at Emirates Stadium just two days ago.

"Their strength and courage shown despite the different illnesses and health problems they suffer from is astounding." Arsenal will be raising money throughout the season with a range of initiatives such as special events and challenges.

Fans will be encouraged to donate and track progress through website www.beagoonerbeagiver.org

The club will also dedicate a Premier League matchday to support the Be a Gooner. Be a Giver campaign and donate money raised by its annual end of season fundraising ball to Great Ormond Street. The new lung building will open in 2012 and will treat patients who have difficulty breathing or sleeping.

More than 2,000 children a year are treated at the existing unit.

Great Ormond Street said the new unit was an essential part of the care for children who have a range of conditions, including asthma, wheezing, cystic fibrosis and cancer.

GOSH chief executive Dr Jane Collins said: "We're thrilled that Arsenal has chosen us as their charity of the season and that they are going to be raising funds to help us build a new lung function unit.

"The partnership with Arsenal will help us to provide much better-planned and welcoming space for patients and their families and will be used by small babies right up to 19-year-olds."