Young footballers from Prestwood donned purple socks in their weekend’s fixtures, as they try and raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Organised by Justine Cox, players from the under 6 all the way through to the under 15s wore purple socks as part of their kit on Saturday, November 23 and Sunday 24, November.
November is Pancreatic Cancer Month with purple being the charity’s chosen colour, and with over £2,000 being raised for the charity in the last three weeks, Justine hopes the donations continue to come through.
The mum-of-two, whose two sons play for Prestwood, wanted raise money for the charity after her father, Jerry Williams, passed away from the illness back in 2016.
Justine said: “My dad was a massive football fan and even had trails at Chelsea, and would often come up here to Prestwood Colts FC to watch his grandsons play so we thought it would be very fitting to do something that involved the kids and something that my dad was very passionate about.
Purple Sock day! 🧦 Great work from the Prestwood Football teams ⚽ Also spot some purple hair. https://t.co/gBW9iMBHy3
— Pancreatic Cancer UK (@PancreaticCanUK) November 25, 2019
“Everyone at the club has been behind the project. We’ve already raised nearly 1500 and I cannot believe it, and who knows where this can go, moving forward.
“The parents have all got behind it, every coach wanted to hear a pair of purple socks and I’m thrilled as everyone has been very supportive.”
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According to Cancer Research UK, symptoms that could lead to pancreatic cancer can be a pain in the stomach or back, jaundice and severe weight loss.
Pancreatic cancer is also one of the hardest cancers to detect and figures have revealed that once someone has been diagnosed with the illness, the cancer has either spread or reached a terminal stage.
Jerry, unfortunately, lost his battle at the age of 68 and Justine hopes enough money will be raised which will go towards the development of a test that can be conducted by GPs, which will hopefully detect pancreatic cancer to the point where it can be treated.
Justine added: “It’s important to donate as Pancreatic Cancer UK is one of the hardest and toughest cancers to diagnose.
“And I am completely overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and are proud to say we have now raised over £2,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK.”
To donate, visit www.fundraise.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/fundraisers/justinecox.
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