Graham Callan lost his father, uncle and cousin to cancer within a five-year period. And now he wants to do his part to raise funds to aid research into the disease.
He has organised a charity event at Moresby RUFC on Saturday, August 18, with all proceeds on the day going to Stand up to Cancer.
The main event will see Moresby’s first team go up against a Moresby Select, including Graham and his cousin Mark, kicking off around 1.30pm.
“I lost my dad, his brother and my cousin, all to different forms of cancer, within five years,” explained Mr Callan.
“We have held a couple of memorial matches for my uncle, Tommy Callan, who played for Moresby and was also chairman.
“But I have been away and missed them so I wanted to do my bit this year.
“We lost my dad Pat Callan, who helped run Moresby club, then only two years later Tommy, who was young and fit, was also diagnosed with cancer.
“Then my cousin Carla Welding had a battle with cancer but got the all clear and got married. But not long after she was diagnosed with secondary cancer.”
Graham wanted it to be an all-day event and not just the match so there will be lots on offer and the club also has a JustGiving page set up.
There will be a sporting auction, with a signed Wayne Rooney England shirt, along with a New Zealand Warriors top bearing the signatures of Thomas Leuluai and Sam Tomkins.
Also up for grabs on the day is a Newcastle United shirt, an iPad, an Apple watch, and a John Lewis voucher.
On the day there is also a raffle, a bouncy castle, food and entertainment from the Hoochie Coochie Moonshine Band.
“We have a lot of family and friends travelling up from across the country so I am just hoping that the sun shines and it is a success,” added Mr Callan.
“And the kit that we will wear on the day will then become Moresby’s strip for the new season.
“I just want to thank everyone who has helped and all of the sponsors.”
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