BRAVE cancer victim Jeff Simm felt 'humbled' by the overwhelming by the support two events organised on his behalf received.

Hundreds turned out for the Jeff Simm sevens and a gala  night held at Hawcoat Park Sports and Social club at the weekend with more than £5,000 raised for charity.

Jeff, suffering from terminal bowel cancer, had a day to remember thanks to his family and friends - and he received an added surprise when former RFU president John Owen presented him with a county cap, something he thought had eluded him 40 years ago after twice representing Cumbria. He also received  a signed England World Cup shirt.

The 66-year-old granddad, who discovered the extent of his disease just over seven weeks ago,  said: "it was a fantastic day.

"We had people down Cumbria RFU turn up we had the former president of the rugby union John Owen. It was a great day and it moved onto the night do and that was fantastic.

"The whole day was supported by many, many generous people.

"I feel quite emotional really. It epitomises the level and the standard of people we have at  Vickers Sports Club. Those people who turned out friends, colleagues, rugby players - I can't describe the words.

"It was well put together, it was played in the right spirit.

"I got presented with my county cap which had eluded me for 40 years, that absolutely blew the socks off me.

"I am humbled about the level of support.

"The people that gave up their time to collect at the gate, friends. I don't want to name people because you forget everybody. 

"But everybody who contributed not only in terms of cash but who donated in terms of time, in terms of effort was absolutely outstanding.

"My whole family loved every second of it. I was blown away with the whole experience."

Jeff had to play a third time before receiving a cap  and  he believed it was a  combination  of his county and club coaching commitments, and his general input in rugby which swayed the decision.

"I missed my cap by one game and apparently they broke all the rules to award it,"  he said.  

 His daughter Michelle, the main thrust behind the events, was delighted everything turned out perfectly for her dad, and thanked Jason Priss for helping in the team organisation and Colin High, who did all the legwork to ensure Jeff received his cap. 

She was also pleased to see Barrow Raiders coach Paul Crarey, along with some of the club's players attend. 

"it was absolutely brilliant," she said of the day. "We raised £5,080.

"I can't believe the support we had and everything ran so smoothly. My dad was loving every minute of it. It just shows you the rugby family is very close.

"It was just how it should be rugby league and rugby union coming together.

"I think he will get a bit of a buzz off it for a couple of months and that's what I wanted really. I wanted him to get his cap, and they didn't let me down.

"Now he wants to put plans in for next year and use his energy for that. Hopefully it might just keep him going a little bit longer."

There are plans to make the sevens an annual event and  spread the invitation to play  across the county. 

"It was just fantastic for him from start to finish," she said. "The number of local businesses that supported  us  giving us raffle prizes was unbelievable."

The money raised will go to bowel and prostate cancer research and to bowel screening.