Leeds United fan hopes to stage fundraising football match after his mum's cancer treatment

A Leeds United fan who has organised more than 20 fundraising football matches for a string of good causes hopes to stage another  to raise cash for the Leeds hospital where his mum is being treated for breast cancer.
Darren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured in the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield.

Picture: Simon HulmeDarren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured in the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield.

Picture: Simon Hulme
Darren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured in the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield. Picture: Simon Hulme

Darren Powell, 35, has helped raise more than £70,000 over the last five years with his charity team called the Kews, named in memory of a friend who died of cancer.

Mr Powell's mum Gaynor Powell, 57, of Wakefield, was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2020 and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at St James's Hospital in Leeds.

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Gaynor - who lost her mum, dad and brother to cancer - went for her first cancer treatment at St James's Hospital in December.

Darren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured outside the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield.

Picture: Simon HulmeDarren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured outside the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield.

Picture: Simon Hulme
Darren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured outside the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield. Picture: Simon Hulme

"It was quite daunting to be sat in a chemo ward thinking 'what am I doing here?'" she said. "The support from the nurses was second to none, they made me feel so at ease.

"A nurse put her arm around me and said 'you are not alone, we are with you 24/7.'"

Gaynor, who has two children and four grandchildren, said her mum Maureen Tranter died aged 54 from lung cancer in 1995.

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She lost her dad Michael, 70, to bladder cancer in 2015 and her brother Dean, 43, to bone cancer in 2012.

Darren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured in the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield.

Picture: Simon HulmeDarren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured in the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield.

Picture: Simon Hulme
Darren Powell with his mum Gaynor pictured in the Leeds United themed bar he has built outside his home in Wakefield. Picture: Simon Hulme

Gaynor, who has been told her cancer has not spread, is half way through a six month chemotherapy treatment programme.

Darren - who has built a Leeds United themed bar outside his home in Wakefield - said he hopes to organise a football match to raise cash for St James's and for the Breast Clinic at Pinderfields Hospital.

Darren said: "She has been absolutely amazing, really brave. She doesn't let it get her down, she just keeps going. She won't let it beat her."

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The Kews team is named after Darren's friend Michael Kew, who lost his cancer battle aged 40 in April 2015.

Michael Kew, who lost his cancer battle aged 40 in April 2015.Michael Kew, who lost his cancer battle aged 40 in April 2015.
Michael Kew, who lost his cancer battle aged 40 in April 2015.

Darren, who travelled to Leeds United home and away matches with Michael, vowed to raise £100,000 for good causes in his memory.

The Kews are hoping to play against former Leeds United players in a fundraising football match in July for Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow, who is battling Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The Kews are due to face charity team Rory’s Rovers at Ossett United’s ground in a sold out match at 1pm on Sunday July 18, Covid restrictions allowing.

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Ex Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is set to play in the game along with former United player Ben Parker.

Also due to play are ex-Manchester City player Lee Crooks, former Norwich City star Oli Johnson and Andy Holdsworth, formerly of Huddersfield Town.

Professional boxer Dalton Smith is another name on the team sheet along with Coronation Street actors Liam Bairstow and Ryan Prescott and X Factor contestants Jack Walton and Ellis Lacy.