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Barnoldswick cricketing brothers aiming to hit cancer for six

A Barnoldswick family is hoping to hit cancer for six with a charity cricket tournament this weekend.

David Scothern and wife Angela have organised the tournament to raise awareness of multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, and the Anthony Nolan charity as brother Ian Scothern prepares for a third stem cell transplant in September.

Players past and present from Barnoldswick, Earby, Edenfield, Great Harwood, Padiham and Settle are set to take to the field for the eight-a-side tournament starting at noon on Sunday with all proceeds going to Anthony Nolan.

Hospitality on the day will include home made food, a barbecue subject to the weather, a raffle and entertainment for children including face painting.

Barnoldswick cricketing stalwart Ian (48) was diagnosed with cancer in November 2005 and last had a stem cell transplant in 2008.

He wishes to thank the charity for its support and is now hoping the next transplant can give him even longer.

Ian said: “It will be another tough time but I am going into it with the same positive frame of mind to come out of the other side, not just to live longer but to live long.

“My wife Kathy has been standing by my side which has given me the energy to keep that positivity and the children (Thomas, 19, and Hannah, 16) have been fantastic.

“Other than family, the resilience and determination I use is that what sport has given me, and specifically cricket.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s tournament, Ian said: “Anthony Nolan is a great cause. I think it is fantastic this tournament has been organised, not just for me but for the greater good of others too.

“It can be a bit of a reminisce and a nice social as well as a fund-raiser. One of the things I love about cricket is it’s one of the most sociable sports.

“You can play hard on the field but enjoy a beer and a laugh in the bar afterwards. I have great memories and have made firm friends down the years.

“One player is coming up from the West Midlands to play specially and it’s humbling that people are prepared to travel.”

Ian hopes that a high profile figure can raise awareness of multiple myeloma in a similar way Sir Ian Botham did for leukaemia, which saw children’s survival rates jump from 20% in 1985 to 90% in the present day.

And he says with advances in technology, people only now need to send a spit swab to get on the register.

Ian added: “Around 50% of people who need a stem cell donor for transplants for the type of cancer I and others have got now find a match.

“When I was diagnosed, that figure was far less than 50% but awareness has improved brilliantly. But it needs to get better and fund-raising events like this can keep on improving it.

“I have been lucky that my first donor was from America and this time it is going to come from Germany. I actually had four donor matches in Germany.

“My hope for multiple myeloma is that a celebrity can grab hold of it and that figure of 50% finding a match can reach 80% just by getting more people on to the donor list.”

To donate money for the charity cricket tournament, go to the Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/david-scothern2 or pop down on the day.

Visit www.anthonynolan.org for more information on how to register.


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