Shildon AFC first team footballers showed their support for a cancer charity during a recent match.
The Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust was set up last year by Mark Solan after a bid to raise £1,000 for Cancer UK, in memory of his mother Kay and grandmother Edith who both died from the illness, actually ended up raising over £21,000.
Mark took the more punishing fundraising route of fighting in a charity boxing match to raise money and will be repeating the task on Saturday 7th May when he takes on ex-Sunderland legend and current South Shields FC footballer, Julio Arca. Arca, whose side won the Northern League Division Two title last weekend, agreed to take part when persuaded by his teammate, Daryll Hall, an ex-Shildon player who is also a kickboxer and played in the same side as Shildon frontman Paul Connor while at the club.
Mark is a close friend of the Shildon striker, who played professionally for a number of clubs including Swansea, where he starred alongside teammate Roberto Martinez, now manager of Everton FC who has also shown his support for the charity’s aims.
Paul lost his father to cancer in May last year after a lengthy battle with the illness and vowed, after Shildon’s league heartache last season when they lost out to Marske United by one point, to play on for another season and win the league in his father’s memory.
The pair are friends with another local family who also lost a loved one to the illness, prompting Mark to rename his charity fundraising activities from Team Solan to Team Solan Connor Fawcett.
The charity is aimed at providing help and support to all members of families affected by cancer.
Poignantly, Paul’s father was taken to hospital on the night that Shildon were denied the title and passed away just before they played and won the League Cup final.
“My dad never missed a Shildon game,” said Paul. “It was one of the things that really helped him with his battle against the illness.
“He had been diagnosed just before I returned home [from playing professionally]. He was hard as nails and gave it his best shot for over three years. He just got on with life and watching Shildon was something that helped him take his mind off things.
“If we could win the league this season it would be something I’d love to do for my dad.”
Paul says that he intends to get more involved with the charity after the football season is finished. “It’s such an amazing thing for Mark to have done,” he said. “He’s helped over 60 local families now in one way or another.”
The Trust has a Facebook page called The Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust where more information about the charity and how to donate can be found.
Paul is hopeful that the Shildon community will rally round the Trust’s efforts in the knowledge that all money raised goes to assist local families at a time when help is most needed.
Mark’s fight with Julio Arca takes place at Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton le Spring with doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets are still available. Visit the Trust’s Facebook page for more details.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
