Girls’ football team raises money for hospital cancer unit

Footballers have helped to raise funds for the cancer unit at the West Suffolk Hospital.

The Kennett Foxes organised a five-a-side tournament at the village playing fields with teams coming from Norfolk and Cambridgeshire to take part.

A total of £151.49 was raised from the event, which included funds from a tea and cake stand, and which delighted organisers.

Neil Gilmore, who manages the girls’ team and is also chairman of Kennett Football Club, supported the youngsters’ efforts in raising the money which has gone to the My WiSH Charity with it being directed towards the cancer unit.

Helen Starkey, whose 10-year-old daughter Polly plays for the team, has been treated at the unit for breast cancer and has now been given the all clear.

And another mother is currently undergoing treatment for brain cancer at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge.

Helen, who lives in Fordham, said the girls were keen to raise money for the unit at the Bury St Edmunds hospital following the exceptional care she received.

She said: “All the girls felt that it was nice to do something for the cancer unit and Neil strongly supported them.”

Sally Daniels, fundraising manger for My WiSH, went along to meet the team and thank them all. 

She said: “My WiSH Charity supports so many people right across West Suffolk and it was lovely to come along to thank the girls and Neil for supporting us. Donations such as this allow us to buy books to start the dialogue when someone has cancer and needs to explain it to their child so this donation will make a difference to many people”. 

For more information on supporting the cancer unit at West Suffolk Hospital please go to www.mywishcharity.co.uk