Over 100 employees from two of North Staffordshire’s biggest names in business have pledged their support for a special fundraising football match.
The teams have come together to support Leukaemia Care following a Michelin worker’s diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Training Instructor Brian Bennett, aged 49, has been receiving support from the charity since being diagnosed in October 2021.
His brother Ken Bennett, who works for JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter, came up with the idea of a football match fundraiser and both men have recruited around 20 colleagues from their respective employers to take part. Dozens more are expected to attend following “fantastic” support.
The match will take place at Michelin Athletic Club, in Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, at 10am on Sunday, 20 August.
It will be followed by a fun day for families, with the aim of raising £3,000 for Leukaemia Care.
Prizes are currently being put together for a raffle and auction on the day, with Michelin donating a Porsche race day at Silverstone for two people.
Brian, from Chesterton, who has worked for Michelin in Stoke for 27 years, said: “I’ve had the best employer anyone could wish for when it comes to support with my illness.
“Michelin has been there for me from day one and ever since. However, I have spoken to a lot of people through Leukaemia Care who haven’t been so lucky with a supportive employer and things such as sick pay. The charity helps with people like them, so I want to do my bit.”
Brian describes his journey since diagnosis as a “rollercoaster”.
He first raised concerns about his health with a GP in June 2021 but they were put down to irritable bowel syndrome. It was only after becoming more poorly and seeing another GP four months later that medics discovered he had leukaemia and he was sent straight for treatment.
However, he is now on his third lot of treatment but hasn’t found one which is compatible for him. Doctors are now looking into the possibility of him needing a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
On the day of the football match, there will be information available from two charities – Anthony Nolan and DKMS: UK – aiming to raise awareness of the shortage of stem cell donors and explaining the donation process to people who feel they could help.
“The thought of a stem cell transplant terrifies me,” said Brian. “But we’re trying raise awareness of the donation process, which is simple and only takes a few hours, in the hope that more people will come forward as potential donors.
“I also want as many people as possible to learn about the signs and symptoms of leukaemia, as it isn’t necessarily an old person’s disease and it is often not diagnosed until it is too late.”
For more information about Leukaemia Care, or the condition, click here.
Anyone who would like to donate, or who can help with raffle or auction prizes, is asked to contact Brian via his fundraising page here.
