A football match inspired by a colleague battling leukaemia is making a return – this time backed by three big names in local business.
Staff from Michelin and JCB raised just under £12,000 for blood cancer charity Leukaemia Care through a game and family fun day last year.
The event was organised by Michelin employee Brian Bennett, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in October 2021, and his brother Ken who works for JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter.
They are now preparing for a rematch at Michelin Athletic Club, in Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, in August – and a team from Crewe’s Bentley Motors has also agreed to take part.
The teams hope to top last year’s fundraising total and are encouraging any businesses who can support with raffle prizes or in any other way to get in touch.
Training Instructor Brian, who is being monitored for a stem cell transplant, said: “We had some great feedback from last year’s event and people have been really keen to do it again.
“We want to go bigger and better than last year.”
JCB won the last football match on penalties.
This year’s event takes place at Michelin Athletic Club on Sunday, 18 August. The first of three hour-long games will kick off at 10am.
Food and coffee vans will be on site throughout the day, as well as family activities including face painting and a bouncy castle.
After the tournament, there will be a raffle and live auction in the bar. Prizes include a signed Stoke City Football Club shirt and a Porche experience day.
Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects blood cells in bone marrow. Around 10,000 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year.
A stem cell donation awareness point will be present at the event.
Any businesses who can offer raffle prizes or support should email [email protected]
Donations can be made here.
- Read the Daily Focus report from last year’s event here.
