MEDICAL staff who have helped an Accrington Stanley supporter through intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy were invited to a recent match to receive a cheque for more than £1000.

William Gilmartin, of Fielding Terrace, Altham West, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in February and will undergo another scan in the next few weeks to determine how successful his treatment has been.

Friends, family and locals have all rallied round for him and helped to raise £1149. About £800 of this came in lieu of presents for his dad Kevin's 50th birthday in August and Accrington Stanley, Enfield Cricket Club and The Crown, Whalley Road, also donated generously.

The Accrington branch of Cancer Research has already received £135 of this and on Thursday staff from Y.O.U at The Christie, Manchester, and the Chemotherapy Suite at Blackburn Royal Infirmary joined William, 21, and Kevin in the club's sponsors room to split the rest.