A SPORTS-MAD student who was struck down with cancer during his final year at university is staging a charity rugby match in aid of those who helped him battle through.

Jonathon Stanhope-Smith, a healthy and active student who captained Durham University’s rugby league team, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the blood, in October 2010 – only months before he was due to graduate.

Then aged 21, the BA Sport scholar had to suspend his studies and return home to Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, for intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Thankfully, the treatment was successful and Mr Stanhope- Smith has been in remission since July last year.

He returned to university last October and has just finished his final exams.

Now he and friends are planning a charity rugby league match in aid of the Lymphoma Association, which supports people affected by lymphatic cancer.

Mr Stanhope-Smith, now 22, said: “I found a lump in my neck. I left it for a while, not really knowing what it was.

“Then I went to the doctor.

The news was a real shock. I’d never even heard of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“My advice to anyone would be: if you feel something, get it checked out.”

The match will see rugby sides from Durham University’s Durham and Stockton campuses go head-to-head.

Mr Stanhope-Smith, a loose forward, will captain the Durham team.

He said: “I love to play rugby and have done since the age of ten, so it’s great that I can help raise awareness and funds for the Lymphoma Association while doing something I enjoy.

“If I can help just one person recognise the warning signs and symptoms of lymphoma so that they get an earlier diagnosis, then I’ll be pleased that I’ve made a difference.”

The match is supporting the Lymphoma Association’s Pits campaign, aimed at raising awareness of lymphoma – the most common cancer in the under-30s – among students and young people.

Pits is an acronym derived from the cancer’s four most common symptoms: persistent lumps, itching, tiredness and sweating.

The match will be played at the university’s Maiden Castle sports ground on Friday, June 8. Kick-off is 7.30pm.

Tickets will be available at the gate, priced £2.