PALS PITCH IN TO HELP FOOTBALLER’S CANCER FIGHT:
FRIENDS SET UP CHARITY RUN EVENT AND ONLINE FUNDRAISING PAGE
A COMMUNITY is rallying together to support a young professional footballer diagnosed with cancer.
Danny Gosset, who plays for Bala Town and has had previous stints with Bangor, Rhyl and TNS, as well as English side Oldham Athletic, was told he had the disease back in August.
The 25-year-old footballer from Bangor had been suffering with a dull ache in his left hip during the Europa League play-offs.
An MRI scan detected abnormalities in the femur and led to a shock diagnosis of a B-Cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.
The former Syr Hugh Owen pupil is receiving chemotherapy at The Christie Hospital in Manchester. But Danny’s friends are determined to get him back on the field.
Alun Vaughan and Andrew Cook have started a crowdfunding page to help Danny and have arranged a charity run, Y Foryd 5K, on November 24.
“We have organised this fundraising event because we want to help Danny and his family any way we can,” Andrew told our sister paper the Daily Post.
“Danny is one of the nicest people you are likely to meet, and the fact so many people want to help out is a testament to his character.
“He is a young and fit individual, but since the diagnosis, things have changed dramatically for him. He’s unable to work due to the treatment and has been on crutches. No one should go through this.”
The event is being promoted by Run Wales and sponsored by Celtest. It is open to all ages.
Adults will be able to take part in a 5k run, while children can get involved in a 1k run. Both races will begin at Coed Helen recreational ground in Caernarfon.
Andrew said: “Danny has set a target to be back playing by the end of the season.
“His strong mindset and determination clearly shows the winning mentality of a professional athlete.
“We wanted to host an event that connects with Danny’s passion and what he does.
“So we would love to see different football teams from Gwynedd come together to take part in the race in their football kit.
“Bangor in their blue, Caernarfon in their yellow, Bala Town in their black, and so on.”
“We also want to highlight how important it is to get injuries checked out professionally, no matter how innocuous they may seem.
“Not only will the fundraising help Danny and his family through this difficult time, but we would also like to raise awareness of various cancer charities and the hospital where he is receiving fantastic treatment.”
Danny has expressed his gratitude for everyone’s support on social media.
On Twitter, he said: “Thank you football family. I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the support I’ve had over the last few weeks also so grateful for each and every wonderful gesture - means a lot to me and is definitely helping with my recovery.”
A spokesman for Bala Town FC said Danny was doing well.
They said: “He’s been attending all of our home games, which is great. In himself he is in high spirits, unbelievably positive and keeps saying how grateful he is for everyone’s support.”