LONG STORY ALERT!! 

If you don't have the time to read it all now please feel free to donate and move on 😀

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My life was recently affected by cancer following the death of my Grandad after a long battle with the disease, more on his story in a bit...

This year I am playing in the Football for Cancer Portsmouth Tournament to raise money for people affected by this awful disease...

Football for Cancer ⚽⚽                                                                  

Starting in 2008 Football for Cancer was created. Since then it has grown from a single tournament to a charity that will be close to raising One Million pounds for local Cancer charities and people. We support local families who are going through the toughest time in their lives. As a local charity we are able to act fast and can provide much needs funds, via the Grant Scheme, sometimes in less than 24 hours.

We provide directly to families to try and alleviate the financial burden that coping with this disease can cause. We also make regular donations to local and national Cancer charities working in our community.

Each year the teams are name in respect for someone who has been affected by the disease, this year I am in Team Beth Tiller. Beth was an extraordinary young lady whose courage in the face of cancer was clear for everyone to see. 

Beth Tiller ⚽⚽

Bethany Susie Tiller was an inspirational young lady.Born on the 8th October 2001, she grew up in Denmead. From an early age, Beth loved to dance and was a member of the Southern Arts Academy for many years,performing in shows.

Music was also a big part of her life, with Bruno Mars always at the top of any playlist. As well as dance and music, Beth loved her football and was a passionate Portsmouth fan, along with her dad, attending matches when possible. Known for her great sense of humour and cheeky personality, Beth also loved hanging out with her close knit group of friends,she was known to them as Tiller! Although quiet and unassuming, Beth touched the lives of everyone who knew her, even those who only met her after her diagnosis in Nov 2016 with Non Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Beth never let her illness define who she was, never losing her sense of humour. The strength and stubbornness that she bravely fought with had everyone in awe of her and her smile and positivity were always the things people mentioned when talking about her. Through her friendship with England cricketer Anya Shrubsole MBE, Beth and her dad Dave were able to rub shoulders with the celebs at the BBC Sports Personality awards, and her love for Portsmouth Football Club deepened with regular visits from Christian Burgess and Kyle Bennet and not forgetting, Kev the Kitman! Although sadly Beth lost her battle in April 2018, her infectious personality and courageous outlook ensure that she will never ever be forgotten.

Cyril Brutnell
On the 28th December 2018 my Grandad sadly lost his fight against cancer aged 88. Born and bred in Portsmouth he served his country before falling in love with my Nan. His life took many turns and through his life he was known for his shrewd business acumen and eye for a deal. Even till in his 80's you would find him in the pub looking to sell some random product to the customers. 

My earliest memory of his fight was when I was about 10, I was sat down and explained he was dying, Lung Cancer had made it to a point where we had to go say our goodbyes so in 1990 I said goodbye to my Grandad, what we later learnt was that he was a fighter!! He survived many of my "Goodbyes" to him over the next 28 years, each time defying doctors prognosis that he wouldn't last the night. This earned him the Nickname of "The Highlander" as nothing seemed able to kill him!! 

He outlived my Nan by almost 2 years and with her passing went his fight. He finally lost his fight during the night of the 28th, laying his sword for the final time. 

Why I am Here 

I want to help Team Beth Tiller hit their targets for fundraising as I know what a difference this money can make. The support Football for Cancer offer is Life Changing and that is so important when the lives it is changing can be at the lowest they have ever been. 

So please donate anything you can and help people that at this time, cannot help themselves....