ONE man’s refusal to accept he had months to live after being diagnosed with cancer will inspire the latest charity crusade in his tight-knit community.

Kevin Simpson, of Chilton, County Durham, was among a group of friends involved in a fundraising football match in 2008 which has turned into an annual event.

It has raised money for Chilton youngsters Laura Reay, Dalton Northway and Kyran Richmond and the organisations that help them, and the Go Ahead Club, for children with special needs and their families.

This year the event will raise money towards head and neck cancer research at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, which saved Mr Simpson’s life.

The 53-year-old’s fight started four years ago when he was diagnosed with cancer in his tonsils, which he had removed before chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

In 2010, cancer was discovered in his gullet and this time medics said his condition was terminal but, determined to fight his fate, he asked for a second opinion.

He travelled to the Freeman Hospital where he met consultant Mr Vin Paleri who performed a 16 hour operation to remove the gullet and rebuild it using skin from Mr Simpson’s arm.

Mr Simpson, who is married to Carol with two daughters, Danielle and Kimberley, said: “I once sat in a room with 20 people telling me there was nothing that could be done.

“Then I met Mr Paleri who was prepared to operate and saved my life, he has never given up and said he will fight for me because I’m fighting for myself.”

His treatment has left him unable to swallow and he now breaths through a tracheostomy, is fed directly into his stomach and speaks with a voice aid.

Friends Darren Williams and Tommy Scott - who managed Daz’s Dazzlers and Tommy’s Tigers in the 2008 fundraiser - will field teams at this year’s charity day at Chilton Community College on Saturday, May 11, from 10.30am.

Due to Mr Simpson’s popularity through Northern League football, as a player and manager at Shildon, Spennymoor, Durham and Chester-le-Street, two extra teams - Simmer’s All Stars and The Wheatsheaf pub team- will compete.

There will be youth exhibition games, children’s fancy dress and a charity event at Chilton and Windlestone Workingmen's Club, from 1.30pm.

Tickets priced £5 are available at the club bar, The Wheatsheaf, from Mr Scott and Mr Williams and for details or to make a donation text SIMA73 £2 to 70070 or visit justgiving.com/simmer.