An under-8s team is undertaking a 12-hour football match this month to support the dad of a team member on his road to recovery from having a brain tumour removed.
Walney Yellows under-8s have been training hard to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity - the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.
The dad of goalkeeper Jonah Hill was diagnosed with the tumour at the age of 34 in 2019.
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Due to delays caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, Jimmy Hill was only able to have his operation three months ago at age 39.
The team's coach Chris Ivison said: "I got to know Jimmy around four years ago whilst both our children attended Seaside Soccer Academy.
"Since I took on coaching at Walney we have become good friends.
"He is currently on the long road to recovery and although he very is supportive of what we are trying to achieve with the event, he has asked us to focus on the charity rather than him.
"Friends and family are forever grateful to the Brain Tumour Research Charity for the support received throughout this awful time and we wanted to show how grateful we are by raising money for the charity."
The under-8s from the Barrow & District Junior Football League will take on the 12-hour charity 5a side football match at Tummer Hill with all proceeds raised going to the Brain Tumour Charity.
The event on the playing fields on Walney will take place from 9am - 9pm on Saturday, July 27.
(Image: Submitted) According to Brain Tumour Research, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Chris has therefore helped organise two awareness days which will also have more information about the football match.
The days will take place on Saturday, July 13 at the Roundhouse Hub Cafe from 10am - 1pm and Sunday, July 14 at Hindpool Road, Tesco between 10am and 1pm.
In terms of the big day, there will be a mobile coffee shop, ice cream van, a chip van and proceeds for the tuck shop also going to the charity.
Raffles tickets will also be on sale for £2.50 each with some fantastic prizes on offer.
(Image: Submitted) Chris added: "Our Just Giving page was set up with an initial target of £500 and within the first 48 hours we had raised over £1,500.
"We never expected to raise anyway near this amount but once we had hit this target my wife and I saw a great opportunity to raise a significant amount of money into research of the disease
"We're extremely grateful to the community, local businesses and the team and we have raised £3,390 with our target currently standing at £4,000.
"The children are very excited and are relishing the challenge - with the help of friends and family, they'll achieve their fete."
To donate to the football match, visit the Just Giving page or Facebook page.
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