Power worker Jeff Hay has proved he is a keepy-uppy king 32,800 times and won praise from football hero Bobby Moore's widow for his amazing efforts - which included a 24 hour bounce-a-thon. 

Jeff was aiming for 1,000 keepy-uppies a day throughout February to raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK to tackle bowel cancer, but he exceeded that and even did 200 an hour for 24 hours despite undergoing four knee operations in five years. He also exceeded his fundraising target by raising £1,500.

Bobby's widow Stephanie Moore OBE said: "What an incredible effort and achievement to manage over 32,000 keepy-uppies.

"I'm so grateful to Jeff, who has shown outstanding commitment and dedication to the challenge and helping us tackle bowel cancer.

"The progress we've made so far wouldn't have been possible without supporters like Jeff and his colleagues.

Jeff Hay and work colleagues completed Booby Moore challenge (Picture: UKPN)

"While mortality rates have fallen significantly since Bobby's death 31 years ago, bowel cancer remains the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, so there's still a long way to go.

"Getting involved with the Bobby Moore Fund by taking part in the Keepy-Uppy Challenge, or the upcoming Football Shirt Friday on April 26, makes a real difference – and we are thankful to everyone who joins us in tackling the disease."

Football loving Jeff, from Ipswich, who coaches the Felixstowe and Walton Under 16s, even went out of his way to carry out the daily task in different places including Felixstowe beach, Flatford Mill, outside the Portman Road ground, Needham Lakes, Woolverstone Marina and a birthday weekend in Dublin. He also involved his colleagues from UK Power Networks in a football fundraising day at work in Ipswich. 

Jeff said: "I really enjoyed doing this challenge. I am blown away with the support I have received, especially from my wife and kids and I have enjoyed travelling around different places.

"We had a brilliant football fun day on the final day, at work and we smashed the £1,000 target. What was just an idea on the sofa turned out to be an amazing month and raised a great amount for a brilliant cause.

"The target was 29,000 kick ups but I went rogue for 24 hours on the 23rd /24 February which was the anniversary of Bobby Moore passing away. I managed to do 200 keepy-uppies per hour for 24 hours with a total of 4,800.

"Everyone thinks I'm mad but it was all for a great cause and I wouldn't change a thing." 

Jeff lost his grandad to bowel cancer and wanted to do something worthwhile to support the charity. Every day he wore a different football shirt, starting with his beloved Plymouth Argyle.