Rovers are running a fundraising initiative throughout July to support the family of our former player Tommy Spurr.
For every home league match ticket sold throughout July, the club will donate £1 to fundraising efforts for Tommy’s three-year-old son Rio.
Tommy and his wife Chloe received the news in April that Rio had a rare form of kidney cancer - Wilms tumour - which only around 80 children a year in the UK are diagnosed with each year. The cancer has also spread to his lungs.
As well as chemotherapy, Rio underwent surgery to remove the tumour and a kidney but pathology results have not been positive and he will now undergo a much more intense course of chemotherapy plus radiotherapy, with treatment planned out over the next nine months.
Caring for Rio and his younger brother Rudy, along with time at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he is being treated, has seen both Tommy and Chloe significantly reduce their working hours which has put a major strain on family finances.
Tommy and Chloe are determined to raise as much money as possible to give Rio the best chance if he were to relapse and treatment options are limited.
At Rovers, we are hoping to provide a helpful boost to fundraising efforts with the donations from a portion of match ticket revenue generated in July.
Tickets are now on sale for all our home league matches for the 2022/23 season and £1 from each sold in July will go to Rio’s fund.
Club Doncaster chief operating officer Shaun Lockwood said: “We were devastated to hear about Rio’s diagnosis and have been looking for ways in which we can support the family. At a time when anticipation is building for the new season, we feel this is a perfect way to raise funds.
“Tommy was an incredibly popular player during his time with the club and will forever be part of the Rovers family.”
The couple have plans for charity events which they hope to confirm in the near future while fundraising has been organised by Tommy’s colleagues at Priestley College in Warrington and the young son of his ex-team mate Richard O’Donnell.
Rio’s mum Chloe said: “The money raised so far is nothing short of gob smacking. Tom and I are so touched by everyone's generosity - totally and utterly blown away.
“Family, friends and strangers have shown us so much kindness.
“We really do appreciate it a lot.”
Tommy spent two years with Rovers and was a key member of the side that were crowned League One champions in 2013.
To purchase any home league match tickets and support our fundraising effort, click HERE