Page 27 - Inspire Autumn/Winter Edition 2017

Luca: The Footballing Fundraiser

Like most eight-year-olds, Luca Bailey is football mad. A huge Liverpool fan, Luca is showing similar
star quality to his Reds idol and fellow striker, Roberto Firmino, after being named Manager’s
Player of the Year for his club, Eccleston and Heskin FC.

In October 2016, Luca’s grandad, Pańe, was diagnosed with lung cancer and died after a
short battle in January. His funeral was a day after Luca’s 8th birthday. Due to the timing,
his parents promised him a football party in the summer.

When the time came, Luca decided he wanted to have the party in memory of his grandad
and asked his friends to make a donation instead of getting him a birthday present.
His mum, Alison, recalls the day:

“It was fantastic.Thankfully the weather was kind and we had a football tournament and
a barbecue . Everyone got a little trophy with ‘Luca’s Football Tournament’ engraved in it.

“We couldn’t believe how generous people were with their donations. Luca was so proud at
the amount he raised and loves the medal he got from Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

“Luca and his grandad were close and football was always part of the conversation. His grandad
would always ask him how his football was going and they were both keen Liverpool fans.

“Luca didn’t go to the funeral but instead wrote a letter to his grandad which his dad read out at
the service. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he spoke about the telescope he received
for Christmas and how he could use it to watch for grandad.

“Every goal he now scores is for his grandad.”

Lillian’s Brilliant Bingo Bonus

Full time mum and former veterinary nurse, Sarah Lea, just loves animals so it was no Lillian Bridger runs a self-help group called FLAP – Facing Life And Pain. The
surprise when she trained as a veterinary nurse, nor was it any great shock when she group offers help and support to those suffering from pain. They meet every
brought home a new pet; she had four cats each with something missing – a leg, Monday and Thursday morning and often invite therapists to the group, from
or an ear! aromatherapy to reiki and licensed chiropractors, for help and advice
about pain management.
So when Sarah’s friend Hannah lost her dad to lung cancer and their close
friend, Fiona, died of breast cancer, they decided to organise a dog walk.
But the group is also about having fun and they often run fundraising
events for charity, including a bingo day for us.

“Who doesn’t love a bit of bingo?” chuckles Lillian. “We hired a hall and got the
balls rolling. No one takes it very seriously and we’re not all that strict! We have
quite a lot of false calls but everyone just laughs it off. It’s a lovely, fun time.

“The group was set up by Mike Baker. I started to come because I suffer from back
pain and arthritis and then my husband joined when he retired. In 2008, we won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Mike sadly passed away in 2009 but I’m so thankful he was still here to receive that award.”

You can turn what you love into vital funds for lung cancer research and support patients too.
For help and inspiration, or to discuss any ideas you have, email: community@roycastle.org
or call our team on 0333 323 7200

Autumn/Winter 27