Kicking cancer off the park
Football legends help Leighanne cash bid
Kind-hearted supporters of a Renfrew mum fighting for her life have raised £11,000 in just a few weeks.
Leighanne Sanderson has been given between two and four months to live by doctors.
The 38-year-old is battling stage four brain cancer.
Renewed hope was given to the Sanderson family when they discovered specialist treatment from Hallwang Private Oncology Clinic in Dornstetten, Germany, could help cure her.
Renfrewshire residents have rallied round to arrange a host of fund raising events.
In five weeks they have raised just under £11,000.
With a target of between £80,000 and £ 90,000, Leighanne’s sister Katie Sanderson cannot thank those enough who have helped so far.
“The Let’s Get Leighanne to Germany campaign has had so much support,” Katie told the Express.
“To think that in such a short period of time we have raised so much money is unbelievable.
“We are all so grateful and overwhelmed.
“This is making us more determined to keep fighting for Leighanne.”
Tragically, the mum-of-one had been misdiagnosed several times by doctors.
She was told she had meningitis, migraines, tinnitus and sinusitis before receiving the devastating news that she had a brain tumour.
By that time, the cancer had reached stage four and was incurable.
Famous faces from football joined the campaigning crusade for an Old Firm Legends match on March 25.
Frank McAvennie, Rudi Vata, Derek Riordan and David Elliot donned a green and white strip to play for Celtic.
Derek Ferguson, John MacDonald, Bobby Russell and Dougie Bell played for Rangers.
Both teams were made up of former players, family and friends.
Held at Renfrew Leisure Centre, the event was facilitated by Five Star Football Events, with Celtic winning 3-2.
Ticket sales alone raised £1,500 with more cash to be counted from raffles and auctions on the day.
“The match was a huge success,” Katie said.
“It was really well organised and there was a brilliant atmosphere.
“Leighanne, her son Kieran, 14, and the family walked out onto the pitch to Rachel Platten’s Fight Song so it was emotional too.
“I can’t thank the former professionals, family members who played and supporters enough.
“It means so much to all of us.”