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THIS WAS TAKEN FROM THE BURTON MAIL ON WEDNESDAY
Roy battles cancer as he bids to raise money for Liberty by HELEN KREFT
A WINSHILL man recently diagnosed with incurable lung cancer while organising a football match for a local girl’s charity is battling on to raise money.
Liberty Rose Finn Roy Yeomans, of West Street, is hoping for a record turn-out at Gresley Rovers’ ground when ex-Derby County legends appear in a game to raise money for the Liberty Rose Trust. Ex-Rams’ players including Roger Davies and Phil Gee and former Gresley Rovers’ players will be battling against Newhall’s Greenfield Royal Oak football team, for whom Mr Yeomans is secretary.
The club official, who has been involved in football for 35 years, originally came up with the idea of holding a charity match for the Liberty Rose Trust after meeting the Castle Gresley three-year-old at a fund-raiser his daughter was holding. He said: “I met her at Garden King which was raising money for the trust and she was such a lovely little girl. It was hard to believe that children who suffer with these cancers have to go abroad for treatment or that they have to fund-raise in order to get that treatment.” Liberty Rose Finn was diagnosed at eight-months-old with having an optic chaism glioma – a tumour wrapped around her optical nerve which meant it could never be operated on due to its size and location. Her parents, Carl and Dawn, set up the trust to raise awareness and money for children suffering with cancer.
A year ago the youngster was given news that her tumour had disappeared. Roy has become good friends with the family and, with a mate, Dave Hamilton, started organising the football match. However, just nine weeks ago, the 49- year-old was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer, but is continuing to organise the event. He said: “I am having ups and downs and currently going through chemotherapy. “This charity event is taking my mind off things and I am still amazed at the generosity of people.” Mr Yeomans has already been offered two Wembley match tickets, as well as tickets to watch the Stoke-
Manchester United game for a raffle. He added: “We have looked at the record attendance at Gresley Rovers, which is 1,914. I don’t know if we can beat that, but it would be nice.” The match will take place on Sunday, November 7.
Further information is available and donations can be made by phoning Mr Yeomans on 01283 516270.
