In October 2023, Matthew Collins was diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer called glioblastoma. Glioblastoma has a very poor prognosis, with most people sadly only living for 12-18 months. Treatment options are very limited, but there is a vaccine (Dc-VaxL) that is showing promise in the field of immunology, doubling survival rates and, in the case of some people, prolonging their lives in years rather than months. Unfortunately, the vaccine isn't available on the NHS, only privately at a cost of around £250,000. For people like Matthew, this is unattainable. So we wanted to do our bit to help the best way we know how, a charity football match.
Matthew is a massive Welsh football fan from Aberdare. He’s followed Swansea and Wales home and away for a number of years, so this is the least he deserves.
If you would like to read more about Matthew’s story and diagnosis, he wrote a blog post here.
Matthew (right) with his friends Luke and Richie in Rotterdam, June 2022
MATTHEW COLLINS XI vs. ALTERNATIVE WALES
PENYDARREN PARK, MERTHYR ▪︎ KO 3:30PM ▪ SUNDAY 21st JANUARY
Spectators are welcome to join us on Sunday 21st January at Merthyr Town’s Penydarren Park as a team put together and managed by Matt will take on an Alternative Wales XI. We hope to raise as much money as possible for Matt’s life extending treatment.
We would kindly ask for a minimum donation of £5 (cash) on the gate or you can donate via Matt’s GoFundMe page.
We’ll also have buckets dotted around the ground on the day for any spare change you can donate.
We’ve got some special guests making an appearance on the pitch, including Angel Rangel (ex-Swansea City), Ian Evans (ex-Wales rugby international) and Laura McAllister (former Wales captain) as well as the usual suspects from across Alternative Wales’ output such as Agent Phillips and Tomi Caws.
The bar will be open throughout the match, so come along, enjoy a drink and enjoy some football while we raise money for an important cause.
Merthyr Town Football Club, Penydarren Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8RF
The car park has limited spaces but there is parking available in the surrounding roads. Castle Street multi-storey car park is about a ten minute walk to the ground.
If you’re on public transport, it’s a fifteen minute walk from the train station and nearby bus station.