Charity football tournament is being held to help a father dying from cancer.

Two of Neil Cooper's friends and former football team-mates and one of his work colleagues have organised the match.

Paul Sargeant, Chris Lloyd and Brian Gillingham want to boost an appeal that is raising money for the £10,000 cost of each course of trial cancer treatment for Mr Cooper which is not available on the NHS.

Mr Cooper, 33, from Portslade, has an untreatable form of cancer affecting his lungs and kidneys. The treatment is the only chance of prolonging his life and giving him more time with his six-month-old daughter Caitlin and wife Wendy, 32.

Generous donors have already raised the £10,000 needed to pay for the next batch of Mr Cooper's treatment and fund-raising is already well under way for the cost of the treatment after that.

Mr Gillingham, who works at Legal and General in Hove where Mr Cooper is employed, said: "Paul and Chris knew Neil and used to play with him for other football teams.

"When they heard about Neil they wanted to do something for him and I said I would help as well. We got together and came up with the idea of the tournament."

The trio are all involved with the Hove-based Sunday league football team AFC Westows. Mr Gillingham said: "Entry to the competition will be £100 per team, which works out to around £10 per player."

Haywards Heath Football Club has agreed to give its ground free and several teams have already said they want to take part.

The men have written to all the Premiership clubs asking for donations to a grand prize draw planned for the day and have included a copy of The Argus article describing Mr Cooper's story and the appeal.

They are also asking businesses and organisations in Sussex to get in touch if they want to donate prizes or make a contribution.

The event on May 20 will include family entertainments such as a bouncy castle and face painting. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Mr Gillingham on 07751 959134 or email brian.gillingham@ntl.com To make a donation or help with fund-raising, contact Elsa Gillio on 01273 544465 or 07796 318402 or email elsa.gillio@theargus.co.uk Cheques, payable to The Argus, can be sent to the Neil Cooper Appeal, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton, BN1 8AR.

  • Saturday, May 6, 2006