A CHARITY football game has been organized to help send a terminally ill father on a dream family vacation with his young daughters.
The touching gesture by staff and students at Bishop Auckland College has raised more than £1,200 for war veteran Dominic (Dom) Gregory.
The 28-year-old from Bishop Auckland served for eight years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Royal Horse Artillery as a regimental physical training instructor, including a seven-month tour of Afghanistan.
But after two random attacks last year, a scan and biopsy revealed he had stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and doctors said he was just 18 to 24 months to live.
Dom Gregory with his daughters Lily and Reign, and Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland Paris. Photos: CIAN CREATIVE PR
Dom hopes to be well enough to take her daughters Lily, five, and Reign, two, to Disneyland Paris but can’t afford the full cost.
His brothers Alex and James, former college sports students, were contacted by sports manager Andrew Dixon who had heard of Dom’s illness and asked if the game could be a fundraiser for him.
Alex, Dom’s twin, said after the match: “I would like to thank everyone for participating.
“It was heartwarming to see what a small community like this can pull together and accomplish.”
The match between staff and students took place at Heritage Park, home of Bishop Auckland FC, last Friday night.
The match took place last Friday. Pictured is former Bishop Auckland College sports student Sean Carr. Photo: JOSEPH CARR
Having recently completed a full course of treatment, Dom was due to attend, but had another seizure just before the game and had to be rushed to hospital.
They say he is recovering well.
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Both Alex and his third brother Daniel played in the game, but James, operations manager for AECOM, which helps maintain and service US Army equipment, was unable to attend, having been drafted in in Poland as part of the Ukrainian effort.
Alex added: “Personal thanks go to Andrew Dixon for organizing the event and to everyone at Bishop Auckland College who participated, as well as Steve Coulthard and Bishop Auckland Football Club for the use of the reception room and facilities.
“Special thanks also to Katy Dixon (HE Development Coordinator) for organizing the fundraiser and raffles.
“You can see how much work and thought has gone into it and we truly appreciate every ounce of effort.
“It was a fantastic event and an exciting game that finished 5-4 for the students and was very worthy of the cause.”
People can donate to the holiday appeal for Dom and her daughters here.
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