MORE than £1,000 was raised when friends and relatives of a woman battling cancer took on police officers in a charity football match.
Around 300 people turned out to watch the Fighting Fitz team take on Barrow Police at the weekend in a fiercely-contested game at Furness Rovers. The event had been organised by friends and relatives of Barrow teacher Danielle Fitzsimmons in a bid to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK.
Miss Fitzsimmons was diagnosed with breast cancer last October. The 33-year-old mum-of-two was forced to leave her job as Year Two class teacher at St Pius X Catholic Primary School that month to start treatment at Furness General Hospital's Oncology Unit.
Dan Webber, Miss Fitzsimmons' brother-in-law, is part of the Fighting Fitz team and helped to organise Sunday's game.
Mr Webber, an English teacher at Dowdales in Dalton, said he had been overwhelmed by the level of support.
"It was quite hard work to plan the event but it was absolutely fantastic to see the number of people who came along and supported the day," the 27-year-old, of Lorne Road, Barrow, said.
"Everyone enjoyed themselves and the generosity shown by everyone, including the sponsors TM Developments and SN Group, was brilliant."
Read Danielle's full story HERE
Sunday's event, at the Soccer Bar field, also included a raft of activities for children, including a sweet stall, bouncy castle, balloon modelling and donkey rides. With each of the game's players paying a £10 entry fee and spectators paying £2, the fundraiser generated a total of £1,128.07.
Mr Webber, who played alongside his brother Rob and his dad Mike, said despite losing 2-1 to the cops, the event could not have been any more successful.
He added: "We're really grateful to everyone who supported Sunday, from Chris and Kath at Furness Rovers, to the sponsors TM Developments, SN Group and PC Liam Oliver who acted as referee."
The Fighting Fitz fundraisers have a number of upcoming events, including an open mic night at the Victory Hall in Broughton from 6pm on Saturday July 9 with entertainment from the likes of Tom Little, Russ Pears, Katie Lane, The Chadelics, The Next Stop and Larkins. Food will be available from the Black Cock Inn.
Tickets for the adult-only open mic night cost £8 and are available by calling 01229 208645.
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