'Emotional' fundraising match to help terminally ill Leeds United fan
A terminally ill Leeds United fan's wife has said a fundraising football match in his honour will be 'very emotional.'
Leeds United and Wakefield Trinity fan Graham Land, 54, of Horbury, Wakefield, is suffering from lung cancer that has spread to other parts of his body.
Mr Land had been undergoing immunotherapy treatment before tests in January revealed the cancer had spread to his brain.
Mr Land's friend Darren Powell has organised a football match with his charity team The Kews at 12.30pm on Sunday March 8 at Hall Green United's ground at Crigglestone Sports Club, Wakefield.
Cash raised at the match will help pay for a holiday to Greece in June for the Land family and will also help pay transport costs to and from hospital.
The Kews was named in memory of Mr Powell and Mr Land's friend Michael Kew, who lost his cancer battle aged 40 in April 2015.
Mr Land's wife Ann, 53, said: "All the family are overwhelmed by it and are backing Darren 100 per cent. It's going to be a very emotional day.
"Darren has asked Graham if he will say some words on the day. Graham has said 'I will give it my best shot, but I don't know if I can.'
"We want to enjoy whatever time he has got left and make lots of memories."
Mr Powell travelled to Whites home and away matches with Mr Kew.
Mr Land and Mr Powell helped carry Mr Kew's coffin at his funeral service.
After Mr Kew's death, Mr Powell vowed to raise £100,000 for charities and good causes in his memory.
So far he has raised £64,000 for a number of causes by organising charity football matches involving The Kews.
Six players from The Kews appeared alongside boxing champion and fellow United fan Josh Warrington on Sky Sports show Soccer AM on Saturday (Feb 22).
The show's presenters John 'Fenners' Fendley and Jimmy Bullard signed a The Kews T shirt, which will be auctioned at the match to raise funds for Mr Land.
Josh Warrington also signed the shirt.
Mr Land first fell ill over the Christmas 2018 holidays and lost more than two stone in just over two weeks.
Mrs Land said: "We are all rallying round and supporting him in any way we can and letting him know how much he is loved and he has got to keep fighting it.
"He has got a big circle of friends who think the world of him . He is one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet."