Charity football match raise £17k to support Bradley Lowery and remember Michael Kew

The match was organised by Darren Powell and was played in memory of his friend Michael Kew, who passed away from the disease in 2015.

Held on Sunday at Ossett Town AFC the game also supported five-year-old cancer patient Bradley Lowery.

Mr Powell said he was moved to tears as celebrity players, friends and supporters helped him reach the fundraising target.

He said: “It went really well. “We raised all that money and had 2,000 people through the gates on the day. Ossett and I are already planning next year’s game, where I’ll do it again for Macmillan Cancer, but for local kids too who are suffering from this terribledisease.”

Mr Powell was raising money to support five-year-old Bradley Lowery, and Macmillan Cancer Support after they cared for his friend Michael Kew.

A team led by the 31-year-old faced off against celebrities in the game, including Emmerdale’s Adam Thomas, Anthony Quinlan and James Hooton and Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac.

Bradley, who is battling neuroblastoma, was named as the honorary mascot for the game.

The five year-old from County Durham, has “touched the heart of the nation” after appearing as a Premier League mascot at several games for his favourite club Sunderland this season.

The money raised at the event has been split between providing care for Bradley, who has terminal cancer neuroblastoma, and Macmillan Cancer Support.