Charity football match raises £5,500 for life-saving cancer research

A charity football match between Guiseley Juniors FC and Menston Juniors FC has raised over £5,500 for life-saving cancer research in Yorkshire.

Chris Spargo, a GP Practice Manager and dad-of-three from Leeds, organised the Yorkshire Cancer Research fundraiser after his wife, Karen, was re-diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.

Karen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. After receiving cancer treatment and being given the all-clear, Karen unfortunately received the news ten years later that the cancer had returned and spread to her spine. Having undergone two major surgeries, she is now receiving ongoing treatment.

Yorkshire Cancer Research funds world-leading research and pioneers new cancer services in Yorkshire, so more people in the region can access new treatments and take part in clinical trials. Chris and Karen decided to fundraise for the charity after learning that Yorkshire represents nearly 8% of the UK’s population but receives only 5% of health research funding.

Chris continued: "The whole community came together after Karen’s experience with cancer and the amount raised way exceeded our expectations. Both the teams had their final junior season together prematurely curtailed in March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and neither had played since. I wanted this match to be one to remember and it was, thanks to the number of players, spectators and family friends who got involved in a whole host of ways in supporting the event, and obviously the incredible amount raised.”

“I had been the coach for the under-18 Guiseley Juniors team for 14 years, since my son, and a number of the players, were five years old. It was emotional to watch my son play for his mum and have all the boys back together again four years later. The day was a momentous occasion.”

After a successful match, Chris is keen to make the friendly competition an annual event, so more money can be raised for cancer research projects in Yorkshire.