Brain tumour survivor sets sights on new goal with charity football match

Saturday 18 August 2018

A man who was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year has organised a fundraising football match taking place today to raise awareness and funds to help others kick the condition.

The match, between Magpies Legends and All Stars, will take place this afternoon at 14:00 at Springfield stadium in aid of the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity (JBTC).

Matt Pamplin (pictured above, left) decided to organise the event after receiving support from JBTC throughout his illness.

In what his brother, Deputy Kevin Pamplin (pictured, right), has previously described as a cruel twist of irony, his diagnosis came while Deputy Pamplin was working as Business Manager of the charity, which provides information, support and advice to those diagnosed and their families.

Pictured: The event will be held at Springfield Stadium.

"The Jersey Brain Tumour Charity have been incredible throughout my journey... without them this would have been a lot tougher," he told Express.

The charity provided financial support for Matt and his wife to travel to the UK to receive treatment for his rare form of brain tumour. Thanks to the charity, he was also able to meet other people who were going through a similar experience, and learn more about his illness.

After having surgery six months ago, he says he is now "well on the road to recovery." 

PERSONAL REQUEST: Please read..
My life changed when I became Business Manager for the @JsyBrainTumour Then out the blue my brother is diagnosed with a rare form of Brian tumour.

Please sponsor me in our fundraiser this sat here in #JerseyCI

DONATE: https://t.co/DbD1OP5QPL TY! pic.twitter.com/PNwNmxg9tN— Deputy Kevin Pamplin (@KevinPamplin) August 15, 2018

Matt hopes that the football match will not just raise money for the charity, but also awareness of the work that it does, making them more visible to people who need them.

He said: "I'm doing it as a thank you, to give back to them... to be able to help others who have been in my situation or similar."

The game will be free to enter, with representatives from JBTC collecting donations. As well as the game itself, there will be an open penalty shootout at half time, for children from the audience to take part it.

Pictured: Matt hopes the football match will be a fun day, but also raise awareness of the charity.

Matt said: "It would be amazing to see plenty of supporters, spread the word, bring your families and friends along for what will be a brilliant day and a few drinks after to celebrate!"

The event is sponsored by Logicalis and Style Windows.