A dedicated Bonhill man who lost his close friend to cancer last year is raising vital funds in honour of the hospital ward which supported him in the final months of his life.
Sean Lavery was devastated when pal Michael Kane died from a rare form of bone cancer at the age of just 31.
To help Michael’s devastated family with the funeral costs, Sean, a coach with Renton Craigandro FC, held a charity football match in his honour - raising £12,000 - in April last year.
One year on, dad Sean has decided to rally teams together for another match, this time in honour of the Beatson Cancer Centre - where Michael received chemotherapy and expert care.
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He told the Lennox Herald : “We did a match last year as the family were struggling with the bills for the funeral.
“I don’t think they had wanted to ask anyone for help so we managed to raise the money for them in the space of two weeks.
“This year we have been planning for about five weeks so we can hopefully do something even better.
“All the money will go towards the Beatson Cancer Charity.”
He added: “Michael spent a year in the Beatson and that is why we thought we would do the match again this year for them - in his honour.
“I spent quite a lot of time up there and they were great.
“It wasn’t like going into a normal hospital. Everyone was your friend.”
Michael was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer which - despite chemotherapy treatment - sadly spread through his body.
He passed away in April 2018 after battling with the disease for around a year and a half.
“It was very hard to watch him go through that,” said Sean.
“A lot of people playing in the match have their own cancer story. Cancer relates to everybody in some way.”
The match will be held on April 27 at Tontine Park in Renton with a 2pm kick-off.
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It will be followed by a party and raffle at Vale of Leven Golf Club.
There is set to be fun for all the family and all are invited to watch the football match - Rangers versus Celtic - earlier in the day.
Sean said: “I was up at the Beatson last week to meet with the staff and they have given us banners to put up.
“We have the Vale of Leven Golf Club as well for afterwards with a DJ and raffle.
“Everyone can come and watch the match and donate whatever they can. Hopefully it’s a really good day.”
There has also been a JustGiving page set up. Anyone wishing to donate can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sean-lavery
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