Martial arts legends are appealing to 'the kindness of strangers' to help a young man who desperately needs cancer treatment.
Elliott Simpson is just 26 years old and is facing a race against time to raise £180,000 for life saving cancer treatment after he was told the NHS cannot support him.
Now renowned bodybuilder David O’Byre and Jujitsu master Trevor Roberts have joined forces to boost the drive for funds with a martial arts seminar at the University of Bolton this Sunday.
David said: “We are ultimately hoping to save Elliott’s life and his family and friends from a lifetime of bereavement that could have been avoided just for the need of money.”
He explained that he and his friend Trevor did not know Elliott beforehand but felt so moved by his story that they wanted to do whatever it took to help him
They now plan to use their very special set of skills to host make this weekend's event truly memorable and hope that ‘the kindness of strangers’ will help see them through.
David said: “Trevor is a legend, he used to represent GB in Jujitsu and was the National Coach and is a ninth Dan martial artist.
“Trevor used to operate as a bodyguard around the world protecting celebrities and government officials.
"He used to run 90 doormen looking after some of the toughest parts of Manchester and the surrounding towns back in the heavy days of the 80’s and 90’s, but he has a soft heart.”
Together they hope the one-off event will help to raise enough money to reach Elliott’s £180,000 target to fund his treatment.
Elliott, is from Mill Hill in Blackburn, and his mum Sonia lives in Bolton.
He suffers from a form of skin cancer and was left with no option but to fund his own treatment after the NHS told him that the drug he needed was not a licenced option.
So far, around £80,000 have been raised through various initiatives and David and Trevor, who have never met Elliott before but felt moved by his story, hope that ‘the kindness of strangers’ will help see them through.
They have set themselves the target of raising £20,000.
David said: “I am helping Trevor to try and make this one-off event as successful as possible as literally time is against us.”
The martial arts seminar will be held at the University of Bolton’s Sport Centre on Sunday November 6 between 11am and 4pm and will feature eight different martial arts masters with specialisms ranging from kickboxing to jujitsu.
David said: "The artist supporting the day are a stunning collection of phenomenal masters of their arts, not just UK top names in their sport but world renowned."
ALSO READ: 'Peverse' NHS rules deny 26-year-old life-saving cancer treatment
ALSO READ: Man whose cancer treatment is being denied on NHS has funding appeal turned down
Tickets will cost £30 for adults or £75 for a family ticket of two adults and two children.
Fees can be paid straight into Elliot’s fundraiser and attendees can use screenshots as proof of their donations
David has asked attendees or anyone wishing to find out more to email dhobyrne@gmail.com and 07837717709.
Elliot Smith’s fundraiser can be found on GoFundMe at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/elliott-can-beat-skin-cancer-malignantmelanomore.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here