Actor Danny Dyer has announced he will be playing in a celebrity football match in aid of a Kent charity.

In a video posted by Chatham Town FC on X, formally known as Twitter, the star encourages people to buy tickets to help raise money for children with an ultra-rare genetic condition.

The former EastEnders star said: “Hello, you wonderful, wonderful people. I am playing this Sunday at Chatham Town FC for a family whose little boy needs life-saving treatment.

“It is a really tragic story. I want to try and raise some money. Come down, click the link, and get your tickets.

“I cannot wait to meet you all. It is going to be an amazing day.”

He will be joined by Impossible singer James Arthur, EastEnders actors Jake Wood, Dean Gaffney and Matt Lapinskas, The Only Way Is Essex cast member Dan Osborne and series 10 Love Island’s Josh Brocklebank.

The celebrity football match has been organised by the firm Sellebrity Soccer to raise money for the newly-registered charity TBCD - A Life For Leo Foundation.

What started out as a fundraising page by mum Lucinda Andrews to fund life-changing drug research for her son born with an ultra-rare genetic condition became a registered charity earlier this year.

Lucinda, of Lordswood, Chatham, set up A Life For Leo in 2021 following the birth of her child, Leo, in March of that year.

When he was born, Leo could not move his arms which Lucinda was initially told by doctors was probably due to shock.

But after six hours, his condition had not improved so he was transferred to St Thomas' Hospital in London for more tests.

It was there medics discovered Leo has an extremely rare genetic disorder which affects a gene, known as TBCD.

It is an incurable and deteriorating condition that affects the brain, nervous system and muscles and is so unknown it does not even have a name, so is referred to by the gene it impacts.

As a result, the one-year-old has epileptic seizures and has difficulty moving and breathing.

Refusing to give up hope, Lucinda spent months researching and eventually began working with biotech company Rarebase in California which handles breakthrough drug discoveries.

The 33-year-old – who lives with her parents Miriam and Kevin – started the fundraising page as an effort to pay for the expensive research.

And at the end of last year, TBCD – A Life For Leo Foundation became a registered charity to help and support all those affected by the condition.

The celebrity football match at Chatham Town FC on Sunday will kick off at 6pm with doors opening at 4.30pm.

Tickets are £12 and can be bought here or at the door.

There will also be face painting, sweet stalls, and an auction for signed football memorabilia including a Chelsea football and a surprise cake baked by TikTok star Lara Cakes who has 3.8 million followers.

Lucinda said: “It should be an all-around fun family day for everyone.”