A selfless teenager has made it his mission to raise money for cancer research after finding out his mother has just months to live.

Tom Mackelden’s world came crashing down on New Year’s Eve, when mum Tania, 48, received the shock prognosis.

She was treated for breast cancer in 2013, but the disease has spread to her liver, rib cage, bone marrow, spine, and brain. She also has a blood clot in her leg.

Now the 19-year-old is organising a charity match in honour of his football-mad mum – four years to the day she received the first diagnosis.

The plumbing apprentice, from Greenhill in Staplehurst, said: “My family and I have been dealing with this for four years now and the journey is coming to a sad and heartbreaking end.

“We’ve been told to take every day as it comes, and we are trying to build as many memories as we can.

“She’s been a hairdresser for 30-odd years and I take her to clients so she can do their hair, but also to say her goodbyes.

“She says she’s grateful when she wakes up every morning but she’s scared to go to sleep.”

“My mum is the bravest woman I have ever met.

“She’s one of a kind and I really hope she can be at the match.

“I see it as my way of supporting her through her battle.”

“My mum is the bravest woman I have ever met" - Tom Mackelden

The fundraising match will see a team of family friends called Mackelden’s XI take on Tom’s former teammates from Maidstone United’s academy at the Gallagher Stadium in James Whatman Way.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm on Monday, February 13, and entry is £5 on the gate. The match will
be followed by a raffle and
money raised will go to Cancer Research UK.

The teenager, who is now a registered fundraiser for the charity, will also run the London Marathon on April 23, and has already reached his £2,000 target with three months to go.

He added: “By raising money for cancer research, this won’t help my mum, but it may help someone else’s mum in the future."

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