Chelmsford City FC have shown their solidarity with Japanese midfielder Takumi Ake and his fellow people of Japan by organising a 'Tako Fund' collection to raise money for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in his home country.

Collection buckets were out in force at the game with Dover Athletic on Monday 14th March and the fans at the match raised an incredible £1,122, incorporating the sale of commemorative Tako mugs and other items. Thanks so much!

Tako's chosen charity is the British Red Cross, who will be involved in the relief effort, and you can now donate online. The club wishes to express it's deepest sympathies to everyone affected by the disaster.

This appeal is open to the wider football community, and it's been heartening to see followers of so many clubs getting involved in an effort to show how our sport can join together towards a common goal.

What started off as a simple bucket collection which hoped to clear three figures has quickly expanded, raising two grand in a little over 48 hours! We've already had to revise our target upwards once! But we don't intend to stop here so please continue give generously. Thank you.