Football fundraiser in memory of Megan
AFATHER and daughter are holding a charity football tournament in memory of a beloved mum who died from cancer at the age of 38.
Molly Betts, 17, and her dad Steven, of Sandileigh Avenue, Stockport, have teamed up with Molly’s mum’s best friend, Katalina Martin, to organise the evening event.
The trio have organised the tournament at Stockport Sports Village, Lambeth Grove, Woodley, to raise funds for The Christie hospital, where Molly’s mum Megan was cared for as she battled cancer.
Megan, a mum-of-three, went two rounds with the brutal illness, after first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.
She had a mastectomy and chemotherapy and was given the all-clear after a year of fighting the disease. However, in April 2016 Megan fell ill again and suffered severe back pain.
She went back to hospital and was told that the cancer had returned in her breast and spread to her spine.
Determined to fight, she had radiation treatment for two weeks and a second mastectomy.
Molly said: “She was in and out of hospital for several months, mainly at Stepping Hill, receiving blood transfusions.
“As the cancer progressed she was referred to The Christie, where she was in and out of hospital for the last few months of her life.”
In October 2016, Megan’s family - Steve, Molly, and Molly’s brothers Alex, 11, and Jamie, nine - were told that her cancer had progressed so far that it could no longer be controlled.
Megan was at The Christie until November 10 and passed away on Molly’s 17th birthday, November 12. Now her friends and family will come together for the charity football tournament, to be held on July 11, to remember her and raise funds for the hospital which provided care in her final days.
Molly said: “When my mum’s illness progressed, The Christie really helped us as a family and we really enjoyed taking my mum out into the gardens at The Christie in her wheelchair. The staff were so lovely and really cared for my mum while she was ill, so we really want to give something back.”
The football event will run from 5.30pm to 8pm, with matches between four teams, all of which are under-10s. There will be a raffle with prizes ranging from spray tans and hair cuts to rock climbing and go-karting vouchers.
Molly will also be offering face-painting for children and there will be drinks and cakes to buy, as well as games such as a penalty shoot out.
Molly said: “We hope to raise £300 and 100 per cent of what we raise will be donated to The Christie.”
Her dad Steve said: “The Christie is an amazing hospital who couldn’t do enough for Megan and our family when Megan was in their care.
“The only thing I could focus on was our children and the love The Christie has shown Megan.”