A WIRRAL businessman has organised a charity football match to raise funds for the building of a new cancer hospital.

Danny de Brabander, Network Service Manager at Birkenhead based Digitel Europe, was diagnosed in January with bowel cancer, but has been determined to keep positive and in doing so help fellow patients at the same time.

Danny, 37, a former football coach at Southport Under-21s, is drawing on his experience and enthusiasm for a special charity football game at Tranmere Rovers ground at Prenton Park.

The match, on May 19, is in aid of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity's appeal to build a new hospital in Liverpool.

Former players from his Southport team will take on a side from The Underground Training Station (UTS) gym in Hoylake during the game, which starts at 6pm.

Part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, it will be followed by food and entertainment, with some familiar names expected to be added to the event.

Fitness has always been part of Danny’s life but it has become more crucial since his diagnosis with bowel cancer.

The 37-year-old, from Claughton, said: "I have remained positive since my diagnosis, if I had been down in the dumps it would have made things much harder.

"I used to be a football coach and I am a big football fan so this seems the perfect way to do some fundraising while increasing awareness of bowel cancer at the same time.

"Hopefully I will be okay to play on the night but if not I will be there to watch. My diet wasn’t particularly poor before, but I have improved it and it has helped me feel much better.

"My job sees me either spending a lot of time in the car or a lot of time at my desk, so it hasn’t always been easy but exercise and diet have become really important to me. I started going to The Underground Training Station and they have really helped me as they have done with other cancer patients. The service they offer is second to none."

Further tests followed and Danny was referred to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

He is expected to have surgery, but in the meantime will be concentrating on arranging the charity event in May.

He said: "We hope people will have a great time and, importantly, raise a lot of money for charity."

Both The UTS Foundation and The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity will benefit from the charitable proceeds received from the football match.

Dr Colin Robertson of the UTS Foundation, said, "We are delighted to be working with Danny, and supporting him with the organisation of this vital charity event.

Danny is one of our UTS Foundation members, and like so many others he is transforming the diagnosis of his bowel cancer into a tremendous force for good for our community.

"The UTS Foundation provides accessible and free structured and meaningful coaching, and health and well-being sessions to support people like Danny who are living with their cancer diagnosis.

"Our services assist people whilst they undergo their clinical treatment, and promote optimised recovery via prescribed exercise and nutrition advice.

"Our aim is to reach and help every person on Wirral who is dealing with, and living with, cancer. We are really looking forward to this event and hope that it will help to spread the word about the services that we offer at The UTS Foundation."

Elspeth Wilson, fundraising manager for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said: "Thanks to Danny for organising a fantastic football match to raise vital funds for the charity and to increase awareness on the subject of bowel cancer.

"Thank you to all the players and supporters for getting behind the charity and making a positive difference to future generations of cancer patients in our area."

To make a donation for this cause please go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BowelCancerAwareness