My Mum, Maggie Bayliss, has been fighting the evil disease Cancer for almost 3 years now. Firstly, Breast and Cervical Cancer which she was in remission for and more recently Adrenal Gland Cancer. Back in July 2016, we had the devastating news that they were stopping all treatment on Mum and the inevitable would happen.

Mum took this news amazingly well and decided to enjoy all the time she has left with us, as much as she could. We had a lovely family weekend in October in Aberdovey, to celebrate her 70th birthday. She has been the bravest and most inspirational Mum anyone could ever have.

More recently, her health has deteriorated since Christmas. Several stops in hospital since Christmas did not dampen Mum's spirit or determination to enjoy her remaining time with us. Unfortunately, after a recent fall and another hospitalisation, we have found out that she has 2 further tumours on the brain and Cerebral Meningitis.

Mum has deteriorated rapidly since finding out the latest tumours and illness. Thankfully we managed to bring her home to be cared for by the family and friends around her. At the time of writing, she is very poorly and awaiting a transfer into Mary Stevens Hospice. It is here that she will receive the 24 hour care that she needs, for which we are really grateful for.

So why am I supporting this event? As many of you know, West Bromwich Albion are a massive part of my life and therefore, Mum's life also. Stourbridge was my home town until I moved to Bromsgrove. The Stourbridge v WBA Legends football match, fund raising on behalf of Mary Stevens Hospice will be an event that I will be taking part in. Due to the kindness of Mark Naylor and Jonathan Gould, I have been given the honour of playing for WBA Legends on 2nd April 2017.

I will be playing alongside 'Super ' Bobby Taylor, Darren Moore, Ian Hamilton, Darryl Burgess, Richard Sneekes, Andy Johnson, Jonathan Gould, Brian Jenson, Paul Peschisoildo, Nigel Quashie, Geoff Horsfield Lee Hughes, Adam Chambers and more!

Please can I ask you for one of two things please?

1) Please come along to the War Memorial Ground, Stourbridge on the 2nd April 2017 and support me but also all the players. The kick off is 2.30pm and the entrance fee is £5

2) Donate the entry fee if you can't come along or donate whatever you feel right to using this page please

This would be a tremendous way of celebrating Mum's life, coupled with fulfilling a dream of mine, but not forgetting the great work Mary Stevens does for all its patients and families.

I love my Mum so much and want to make her proud of me, and this is a small way of showing her how much I love her and will miss her after her passing.

Please donate or attend :)

Dave

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