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A lifelong Everton FC fan is swapping sides and supporting Liverpool FC ahead of derby day – in the name of charity.

Raymond Moore, from West Derby, is saying goodbye to his beloved blue shirt just days before one of his team’s most important matches.

It is part of a series of challenges the 51-year-old is doing to raise funds for the youth and community group he runs in Southport.

The difficult derby day task was set for him by Liverpool FC supporter, Ken Landon, who he met on holiday in Thailand, when Raymond asked for suggestions of a challenge for him to complete every month.

But out of a planned 10K run in March; a Liverpool to Chester bike ride; a three peaks challenge and a Tough Mudder assault course challenge, he said switching shirts ahead of the derby day will be the most difficult.

* Play our Merseyside Derby game and see if you can become a Red or Blue hero

Raymond, who has already completed the dry January challenge, added: “This is going to be harder than dry January, the 10K run, Liverpool to Chester bike ride, the Yorkshire three peaks, the Tough Mudder – which is going to be physically difficult. Mentally this will be the hardest challenge, wearing a Liverpool shirt.”

Dad-of-two Raymond added: “It was a big Liverpool fan who said about supporting Liverpool FC for a month. It was his idea – it’s his fault. He’s been giving me a hard time on Facebook about it.

“I play football, five-a-side every Friday with mostly Everton supporters, they said they’re not speaking to me and have told me under no circumstances to turn up on Friday wearing a Liverpool shirt.

“I’m 51 so I guess I grew up with the tail end of Howard Kendall. My heroes were people like Kevin Sheedy, Peter Reid, Duncan Ferguson, Graeme Sharp, Kevin Sheedy, Neville Southall.

“At the moment I like Besic (Muhamed Besic), he’s a good all round player, a midfielder. I have a bearded dragon called Eto (Samuel Eto’o) – although he’s just moved.”

Raymond is not attending the derby match this Saturday at Goodison Park because he would have to sit in the Liverpool supporters end and felt it was “unfair” to take up a seat which could have been used by a true Reds’ fan.

He will, he promises, cheer for them, though.

He said: “I’ll be watching it and if Liverpool do score, I will cheer - I’ve promised and I always keep promises.”

Raymond is doing his challenge for the Phoenix Community and Youth Project in Southport.

The not-for-profit organisation helps young people train and get qualifications as well as providing a youth club drop-in the evenings.

To sponsor Raymond visit https:// www.givey.com/phoenixcommunityyouthproject