FORMER footballers stepped out in support of their ex-teammate and manager who is raising money for a cancer charity.
Doug Wallis was diagnosed with myeloma, a blood cancer originating in the bone marrow, two years ago, after it was spotted during a regular check-up.
Although incurable, the condition can be treated and Mr Wallis is living with the disease having undergone chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
To coincide with the first anniversary of his stem cell transplant, Mr Wallis decided to organise a series of walks to raise cash for the charity Myeloma UK.
He has raised more than £2,500 to date and the latest walk – the fifth – saw Mr Wallis joined by former players of the all-conquering Cockfield FC team of the late 1980s and 1990s of which he was part.
It was during this time that Auckland and District League club won five county cups.
Retired painter and decorator Mr Wallis, now 68, joined the club as a player before becoming player-manager and finally manager once he had hung up his boots.
He decided to get the lads back together for his latest fundraising walk, a guided trek across Cockfield Fell led by Jonathan Milroy, who began his football career at his home club.
Afterwards, there was a chance to relive their glory days with a penalty shoot-out at Cockfield’s recreation ground.
“I wanted to give something back for all the support I have received and I thought a good way to do it was through the walks,” said Mr Wallis, of Toft Hill.
“I can’t go for long walks so it is a series of smaller walks.”
One set off from Bishop Auckland FC, another from West Auckland Town’s ground. Bob Murdoch organised a Barnard Castle walk and Mr Wallis also headed across to the Lake District as part of his fundraising efforts.
As well as raising money, Mr Wallis said the walks were a chance for family and friends to “celebrate being together, celebrate life and remember good times”.
He added: “I want to gather people together under happy times rather than meeting due to sad circumstances and to raise money for Myeloma UK.”
The charity provides information and help to families as well supporting the development of new treatments for the disease.
In addition, Mr Wallis paid tribute to the haematology teams at Bishop Auckland Hospital and the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, for the specialist care he had received and thanked all those involved in his treatment.
