Many people often go the extra mile for charity, but Spartans fan Mark Carruthers is literally giving the shirt off his back – as he is donating a signed Blyth top to help a young cancer sufferer in the area.
As part of the Race Night For Frankie event that he is hosting at Blue Flames Sporting Club, Benton on Friday November 25, former Blyth media team member Mark has donated a match-worn signed Spartans shirt from the club’s famous 2014/15 Emirates FA Cup run.
It is hoped that the shirt can help raise vital funds for three-year-old Frankie Sherwood to receive lifesaving treatment in the USA for Neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that he was diagnosed with at just 22 months old and has recently relapsed.
The Help Save Frankie Sherwood cause is close to Mark’s heart, but it will not be the first time that he’s been involved in helping the youngster’s cause to raise the astronomical amount for the operation he needs.
Mark explained: “I took part in the Walk for Frankie back in March, when we walked from Blaydon to Tynemouth on Easter Sunday. Since then, I have wanted to do more for Frankie and for his family.
“Frankie is exactly a year older than my son, William, and I can’t imagine what his family are going through. He was in his final week of treatment for Neuroblastoma, then they found out he had relapsed.
“The strength of his family, their bravery and that of Frankie himself really is inspiring. I want to do all I can to help them reach their £550,000 goal to get Frankie to America, to get the operation he requires.
“It should be a cracking night and, hopefully, we will be able to raise as much money as possible.”
The Football Matters TV pundit also revealed that the shirt held great memories of his time at the club during that run to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round, but he knows that his sacrifice will be more than worth it if it gets Frankie closer to the treatment that he needs.
He added: “On face value it may seem a very hard decision to let the shirt go and I guess, in some ways, it is. They were special times and, when you look back at games like; the Leek Town epic, the hammering of Altrincham, THAT night at Hartlepool and – of course – the Birmingham defeat, they were amazing to be part of in some small way.
“Seeing what Frankie has been through – showing unwavering bravery – brings perspective though. Those cup run memories will last a lifetime and nobody can take them away from me. However, if I can use this shirt to help him get the funds he needs, then it isn’t difficult to part with it.”
Spartans fans desperate to get their hands on this illustrious item of memorabilia can submit their bids via direct message to @MarkNLDaily on Twitter or by email to markcarruthersmedia@hotmail.co.uk. Mark will keep details of the privately submitted bids updated on his Twitter account, but he has stated that the shirt is available to buy outright should someone stump up enough money.
When asked what figure he’d like the shirt to raise, Mark – who is now also the editor of NonLeagueDaily.com – replied: “There is no figure in mind, although I’ve said that if someone gives me £300 then they can have it without it going to auction on the race night.
“If it doesn’t get to £300, it will go into the auction on the night and the highest received bid will be the starting price for it.”
In addition to the ex-press officer’s signed Spartans top, there are a number of other items up for grabs in the race night’s sports auction. These include signed Leeds United shirts, signed Newcastle United footballs, a signed England rugby shirt and much more.
Tickets are priced at £5 each and can be requested and purchased via the Race Night for Frankie Facebook page or by searching for Race Night for Frankie on the social media network.
Frankie’s family have already raised over £110,000 and more information on his fight can be found on their @HelpFrankie Twitter account and GoFundMe donation page.