More than 800 people turned out to a charity football match in honour of a much-loved mum who tragically died from cancer last week.

Tania Mackelden had been hoping to be in the crowd for the fundraiser at The Gallagher Stadium yesterday, organised by her son Tom.

It came four years to the day she received her first diagnosis.

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But instead loved ones gathered to remember the 48-year-old, described as the “bravest, strongest, most amazing lady”, with tributes read by her family, followed by a balloon release.

The hairdresser, from Greenhill in Staplehurst, died in the early hours of Friday morning after a long battle with cancer.

She leaves behind husband Lee, and children Chloe and Tom.

Her son, 19, said: “I haven’t just lost a mum I’ve lost my best friend, my personal bank account and someone who I could tell anything and everything and know she’d never pass judgement.

“Sitting here now I don’t know how I’ll cope but I will get through it because I know that’s what my mum would want.”

Early in the new year, Mrs Mackelden was told she had just months to live after it emerged the disease had spread to her liver, rib cage, bone marrow, spine, and brain.

Upon receiving the shock prognosis, former Maidstone United academy player Mr Mackelden had arranged for a game to be held in honour of his footy mad mum at the ground in James Whatman Way, where she regularly came to watch him play.

He said he wanted to use it to support her in her battle, while also raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Mr Mackelden added: “It felt like she was never meant to be at the game - like it was always meant to be a memorial match and a celebration of her life.

“When I walked out and looked at the stand which was jam packed - it was surreal. I couldn’t believe it. It brought me to tears."

The clash saw a team of family friends called Mackelden’s XI take on Tom’s former teammates. And while the funds raised from the game totaled nearly £8,000, the total on Tom’s online fundraising page has reached more than £5,600.

He will also be running the London Marathon for the cancer charity this April.

Mr Mackelden said: “My mum was a fighter and I’ll carry on raising money to make her proud. If you’re looking down and reading this mum I love you and you’ll never be forgotten, forever and always.”

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