AARON Lee’s efforts have been done against a background of personal anguish after the death of colleague Ricky Casey.
The popular man, who was also involved at football side Springhead, died on Wednesday, May 1 after a long battle with kidney cancer.
It is thought Ricky’s cancer – renal medullary carcinoma – was so rare, only about 400 people in the world have had it.
And after the sad new of Ricky’s passing, Aaron paid tribute to his colleague.
He said: “Thank you for welcoming me to station Ricky I’ll never forget the time you gave me.
“Sleep easy breadbin RIP. Thoughts with all family and friends.”
A charity football match at Springhead Football Club on Saturday, May 11 went ahead to celebrate the life of Mr Casey, Springhead’s former player, coach and manager.
The celebrity game had been intended to fund treatment for Ricky, who was reserve-team manager, as the National Health Service would not pay for it.
Former Oldham Athletic managers Paul Scholes and Pete Wild took part, along with former Latics players Chris Killen and Will Haining.
Morecambe FC ace Richie Bennett, who hails from Springhead, also lined up along with other former players plus actors and TV stars.
Springhead FC and the local community had already raised almost £30,000 to fund treatment.
Football club chairman Dave Donlan said: “The organisers spoke Ricky’s wife Nicola and his children and they wanted it to go ahead as a celebration of his life.
“They wanted to raise money which will be donated to cancer charities.”