KEVIN Davies wants local causes to step forward and claim their share of a £90,000 jackpot.

The former Bolton Wanderers and England striker is preparing to call full-time on his charity KiDs of Bolton, which he set up in 2010 with his wife Emma.

More than £250,000 has been raised and dished out to hundreds of sporting clubs and young athletes around the town but Davies is keen to make use of every penny and is asking for requests to distribute the remaining funds before Christmas.

A donation will be made to the Bolton, Bury and District Football League to cater for requests within their remit – but otherwise Davies is keen to hear from any cause, sporting or otherwise, who may be struggling for money.

“The last five years have been so rewarding,” he told The Bolton News. “We’ve been able to help lots of people around the town but the number of applications has slowed down now so we feel it’s ran its course.

“Watching people spend the money on equipment, going out to hand over cheques and seeing youngsters develop has been incredible. Me and Emma have had a fantastic time.

“But before we sign it off I want to make a difference with the money we’ve still got in the pot. There’s plenty there, so if someone is reading the paper and thinking ‘I think this could apply to us’ then drop us an email and we’ll talk about it.”

KiDs of Bolton was launched five years ago with a string of prestigious events, including a masquerade ball, which included performances from special guests such as McFly and Peter Kay.

Davies, who recently retired from playing after a 22-year professional career, admits it has been difficult to give the charity his undivided attention in the last 12 months.

“The first two or three years were a whirlwind, really, it was so busy,” he said. “I lost count of the number of bits of equipment we bought and every night of the week we seemed to be out at a different club and helping people.

“We were helping people who were finding it difficult financially, and that’s what has always struck a chord with me. I can identify with it because that’s the environment I grew up with in Sheffield. It wasn’t always easy.

“This certainly isn’t the end of me doing things in Bolton. I’ll still be involved in everything I can locally but it has become difficult to stay on top of things.

“We had problems with our email and website recently and it meant we missed a request. Consequently that team was forced to close down and we both felt at that point that if we couldn’t give it 100 per cent, we’d look to draw a line under things.”

Davies has set only two stipulations for those looking to apply for funding; the group or individual must be under 18, or cater for under-18s, and within the Bolton locality. Non-sporting applications will also be considered.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s £100 or £10,000,” Davies explained. “I’d like people to step forward and if we can’t help for any reason, we may be able to offer advice. We can’t help everyone, and we might have to be selective, but I’d like to think we can get round as many people as possible and have one final big push.

“If some of the youngsters we’ve helped go on and make a success of whatever sport or profession they choose then it will all have been worth it, for me.”

If you would like to apply for funding from KiDs of Bolton, email kidsofbolton@yahoo.co.uk with an outline of what you need, including contact details, before the end of November.