A Blackburn man, who is self-funding his life saving cancer treatment, got to meet his footballing heroes this week.
On Monday Blackburn Rovers players were pleased to welcome Elliott Simpson to the Senior Training Centre, ahead of a 22-mile fundraising walk this weekend, which has been organised by his family.
Elliott, who has been a season ticket holder since the age of nine, has been diagnosed with stage four malignant melanoma, an aggressive type of skin cancer, and has been forced to self-fund his life-saving cancer treatment due to NHS red tape.
His family must now raise in the region of £180,000 in order for Elliott, who also has Crohn's disease, to have dual immunotherapy treatment, which would provide him with a better chance of survival.
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Rovers were keen to show their support to 26-year-old, who was invited to spend the day at Brockhall, where he watched the first team training sessions, met head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson and the players, and was presented with a signed shirt.
“It’s down to rigid rules that I’m unable to get the treatment that I need and yet my cancer isn’t rigid, it’s changing all the time,” said Elliott.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with how many people have come together – friends, family, strangers.
“Everyone wants to help me and I’m really appreciative of how much everyone has supported me.
“I’ve done a lot of fundraisers and we’ve got a GoFundMe page set up, which is doing really well, but it’s been really hard for us as a family.
“Going down to Ewood and to away games, has helped me keep my mind off things. I’ve got a season ticket with my brother, so we always go, and days like today, meeting the players and watching them train, is really good.
“We’ve made an unbelievable start to the season since the new manager has come in and hopefully we can keep it going.”
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This Sunday (August 21) Elliott’s friends and family will be walking 22 miles from Old Trafford to Ewood Park in order to raise more money for his cancer treatment.
They will pass through Bolton on their journey as this is where Elliott’s mother, Sonia Littler, hails from.
Stephanie Zakrzewski, Elliott’s aunty and organiser of the walk, said: “My family wanted to do something that’s a bit of a challenge but was also reflective of him.
“Elliott and the family have been lifetime supporters of Blackburn Rovers so we decided to walk 22 Miles from Old Trafford to Ewood Park.”
As well as raising money they will also be using the walk to raise awareness of skin cancer.
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Stephanie, from Clitheroe, said: “We will also be collecting money and speaking to peopl on route, informing them about skin cancer symptoms.
“I want to thank the people who have helped raise money so far. We’ve reached £60,000 which is amazing.
“However it is only a third of what we have been quoted and raising the money for it is exhausting.”
If you want to take part in the walk email Stephanie at: stephanie.zak@btinternet.com
You can also donate to Elliott’s GoFundMe at: https://gofund.me/58c1a931
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