A man who is living with a brain tumour was the inspiration behind a Boxing Day football match – and scored the final goal of the game.
Gavin White, from Ampthill in Bedfordshire, took to the pitch at Stevington Village Hall for the festive friendly to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
The 44-year-old [pictured front row, yellow shirt] was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) last September following severe headaches and a seizure on a family holiday to Crete. He underwent an awake craniotomy, followed by radiotherapy and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
Despite this, keen footballer Gavin, made a heroic return to the game, supported by many friends and family, including his wife and two daughters from the sidelines.
After 80 minutes of playing in goal, he came on pitch to score the final goal of the game for his team, the “Gavin White Balding All Stars”, who were ultimately beaten 5-2.
The founder of Autotech Recruit said: “Sadly, there are a few of us in our community who have been affected by brain tumours over the last few years and it was incredible to see so many people turn out to support us and raise much-needed money for research.”
The football game raised more than £1,100 with half of that going to Brain Tumour Research. Gavin also took part in the charity’s Walk of Hope last September, just two weeks after surgery, and Ampthill Rugby Club, where Gavin is a coach for the under 8s, have added the Brain Tumour Research logo to their team shirts to help raise awareness.
Gavin said: “I feel like I’m in a unique position where I have the time and the capability to help others going through what I’m going through.
“One in three people know someone affected by a brain tumour but just 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to brain tumour research. I can’t change the past and what’s happened to me, but I can help change the future.”
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