Former Peterborough United duo amongst line-up for Football vs Cancer match
An ex-England international is also due to play in the annual event
A former England football international is one of the celebrities due to don their boots for a cancer charity match in Cambridgeshire today.
This year's Football vs Cancer match will pit celebrities against a team of local amateur footballers for charities Anna's Hope and In Sue's Name, who both support young people and families affected by brain tumours.
Former Posh strike duo Aaron Mclean and Craig Mackail-Smith, ex-England footballer Des Walker and former England cricket star Monty Panesar are also included in the line-up.
It’s an event, first set up in honour of local footballer Mick Belson who died following a brain tumour, that has grown each year since the idea started around 11 years ago.
"Everybody's aware cancer is with us every day"
“More people wanted to get involved because I think everybody’s aware cancer is with us every day, every walk of life so people want to try support and help,” Shaun Harley, chairman of the Football vs Cancer event, said.
“All the money raised goes directly to the charities, and all that money raised from the charities goes to supporting the families.”
More than £60,000 has been raised by the charity match for local charities, and the aim this year is to raise £20,000.
Shaun is grateful for the sponsorship the event has received since it launched.
Celebrities are also 'human beings' at charity match
And although there will be plenty of stars taking to the pitch, like Premier League winner Colin Hendry who has been affected by cancer, Shaun knows celebrity status doesn’t always take shape.
“Colin lost his wife to cancer, he understands the detrimental effects it has not just on the individual but the families,” he said.
“It shows while they are celebrities and they’re recognised as that, they are still human beings.
“We’ve got two choices in life, either ignore it and hope it doesn't happen to us or someone we know, or face it head on.
“That’s what we’re doing as an event, facing it head on and we’re trying to challenge it.”
This year’s Football vs Cancer match will take place at Peterborough Sports FC, 651 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 3HA – kick-off is at 1.30pm.
Entry on the day is £10 per person and anyone under the age of 16 or over 65 can enter free of charge.
A gala dinner and charity auction will also take place after the match.