Sunderland 2018 Bid Introduces Text Messaging Service
The team behind Sunderland’s bid to bring World Cup football to the city has introduced a new way for the public to register their support. A special text messaging service has been launched, allowing people to back the bid while on the move and helping to demonstrate how much the region is getting behind the campaign.
Many thousands of people from Sunderland and across the North East have already voiced their support for the Sunderland 2018 World Cup host city bid. Members of the public have been queuing up to sign special books located with local businesses, libraries and at major events. In addition, huge numbers are voting online to send a clear message to the FA that the region is determined to bring World Cup football to the Stadium of Light.
The FA has stated that levels of public support for individual host city bids will be an important factor when it makes decisions about which venues to include in its proposal to FIFA. Enthusiasm for the Sunderland 2018 bid has been high since the start of the process and the team leading the campaign is keen to give people as many opportunities as possible to demonstrate their backing.
The new text message service is designed to offer a quick and easy way to voice support for the bid and all messages received will be captured in a document that will be submitted to the FA with the final Sunderland proposal later this year. To back the bid by SMS message, supporters need to text “Sunderland2018” followed by their name, house number and postcode, all to 62299. Texts are charged at the standard network rate and the service is now live. People can also still register their support with the FA online through www.sunderland2018-2022.com.
Sunderland players Danny Collins and Lorik Cana took time out from training to launch the service at the Academy of Light. Danny comments:
It would be absolutely fantastic to host the World Cup here in Sunderland and anything that makes it easier for people to show their support is a good idea. It would be a brilliant thing for the city and the whole region – but we have to show the FA that we want it.