Edwards 100 strikes to beat cancer

A football loving teenager saw his dream come true when he scored a goal as part of the half-time entertainment at this year’s Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

Edward, 14, from Gloucestershire, challenged himself to take 100 kicks at 100 different locations and raise £100,000 for brain tumour research. He was inspired to take on the task after being diagnosed with an aggressive, grade 4, brain cancer, when he was just 11.

On Saturday, Edward took the 70th kick of his campaign, in front of a crowd of more than 83,000 people. The Manchester United fan slotted his penalty past the club’s mascot Fred the Red to the cheers of the entire stadium.

Edward said: “I was excited, but extremely nervous as Wembley Stadium is so big. There were so many people, but the cheer I got from the crowd was amazing. It made me feel that people support what I am trying to achieve".

Following his diagnosis Edward had to undergo multiple operations, radiotherapy and high dose chemotherapy to manage his tumour. The treatment left him physically weak, and the damage caused, meant he had to learn to walk once more.

However, in a bid to help others, Edward launched his campaign on the day of his last operation in August 2021. The positive approach was something he had been thinking about throughout his treatment.

“My diagnosis was a complete shock. I wanted to use my experience to help raise awareness of brain cancers and raise funds so that more research can be carried out. I wanted to do something to help.”

Edward’s campaign has seen him take penalty kicks at the home of Bournemouth, Bristol City, Swindon Town, Portsmouth and other grounds in the Southwest.

He has raised more than £60,000 in the process but his progress stalled in recent months due to setbacks caused by side effects of his treatment.

He was over the moon when Wembley Stadium bosses offered him the opportunity to take one of his 100 strikes at cancer during this year’s FA Cup Final.

Edward’s mother, Anne Simpson, said: “He is doing all that he can to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research, but it is tough at times, and he still has a long way to go.

“Football kept Ed going through his treatment and it was the motivation for his rehabilitation. The kindness and encouragement he received on Saturday was incredible and has given him a much-needed boost.

“What Wembley and the FA did for Edward is extraordinary and shown just what a force for good football can be.”

You can find out more about Edward’s campaign at his webpage here. You can donate to his Just Giving page here or Text STRIKE to 70085 to donate £5 to Brain Tumour Research. Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message.