Fundraiser for football-mad Penrith boy battling cancer

Jack Musgrave, 15, is battling Hodgkin Lymphoma.

The Penrith lad is facing six months of treatment – and his fight has come in for huge support from friends and the football community.

A JustGiving page has launched to help Jack’s mum Linda Hebson with the cost of regular trips to Newcastle including travel and accommodation costs.

It has already raised more than £4,000.

To donate, visit the JustGiving page HERE

Jack, a huge Carlisle United fan, has received messages of support from Blues players and fans.

His junior football club, Calthwaite, have also shown huge support after the heartbreaking diagnosis.

Jack is a huge Carlisle United fan - and Blues players have reached out to the teenager (Image: Linda Hebson (Jack's mum))

Linda said it was confirmed officially in the last week that “my 15-year-old baby has cancer”.

In a moving social media post, she said the family have known since October 17 that Jack had cancer, with biopsy results later confirming that it was Hodgkin Lymphoma.

“We spent three days in hospital in Newcastle last week with blood tests, a scan and a general anaesthetic for a biopsy. He was like a pin cushion as turns out Jack doesn't give up his blood so easy,” Linda added.

“You never complained once, even after two full days of nil by mouth from 7am.

“You've taken it all in your stride and been so brave.

“We got to the Carlisle match Tuesday night and they won for you [the 2-1 victory over Burton Albion]. You got to football training Wednesday night and are playing in match on Sunday.

“To look at you no-one would know anything was wrong, zero aches or pains.”

To donate, visit the JustGiving page HERE

Linda, who runs Linda’s Cupcakes in Penrith, said the support the family have received has been touching and greatly appreciated.

“Jack and me can't thank the people that have known since last Tuesday enough for their support – family, friends, the ones who received that call from me crying trying to get the words out "they are saying Jack has lymphoma...cancer", or the shock text you received that day or the days after when there was no easy way for me to break it to you,” she said.

Jack plays junior football for Calthwaite FC (Image: Linda Hebson (Jack's mum))

“His Calthwaite football team have been amazing with their support (coaches, lads and parents), as have his school mates.

“And a massive shout out to CUFC players sending him individual videos (thankyou to Jack's ex-Langwathby coach for sorting this) and wishing him well, and offering help and texting me to see how he is, this meant the absolute world to him, as we all know football his is life.”

Linda said Jack wanted to tackle and beat the illness in the no-nonsense style of one of his Carlisle United heroes.

“We all love you Jack, be strong, be brave and fight this,” she added. “In football terms like we said last week, by the time you've beat this it'll have been well and truly 'Mellished'!

“Jack's got this, he's gonna fight it, it's a long road of six months of treatment, but we've all got his back.

“Most of all him and me have each other like we have always had and as I've found last week he's not too big to hold his Mam's hand or have a cuddle.”

Linda said she is “overwhelmed” by the fundraiser, which was set up by Daniel Harding.

She added that any funds left over will be split between the Children’s Cancer Ward at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where Jack is being treated, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

To donate, visit the JustGiving page HERE