Charity football game for Dom Gregory from Bishop Auckland

The touching gesture by staff and students at Bishop Auckland College have raised more than £1,200 for war veteran Dominic (Dom) Gregory.

The 28-year-old from Bishop Auckland, served for eight years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Royal Horse Artillery as a regimental physical training instructor, including a seven month tour of Afghanistan.

But after two random seizures last year, a scan and biopsy revealed he had Stage 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and doctors said he had only 18 to 24 months to live.

Dom Gregory with daughters Lily and Reign, and Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland Paris. Pictures: CIAN CREATIVE PR

Dom is hoping to be well enough to take his daughters Lily, five, and Reign, two, to Disneyland Paris but can not afford the full cost.

His brothers Alex and James, former sports students at the college, were contacted by head of sport Andrew Dixon who had heard about Dom’s illness and asked if the match could be a fundraiser for him.

Alex, Dom’s twin, said after the match: “I would like to thank everyone for the turnout.

“It was heart-warming to see what a small community like this can pull together and achieve.”

The staff v students fixture was held at Heritage Park, the home of Bishop Auckland FC, last Friday night.

The match was held last Friday. Pictured is former Bishop Auckland College sport student Sean Carr. Picture: JOSEPH CARR

Having recently completed a full round of treatment, Dom was due to attend but he had a further seizure just before the fixture and had to be rushed to hospital.

He is said to be recovering well.

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Alex and third brother Daniel both played in the match but James, an operations lead for AECOM ,which helps service and maintain equipment for the US Army, was unable to attend, having been drafted to Poland as part of the Ukraine effort.

Alex added: “Personal thanks go to Andrew Dixon for organising the event and all from Bishop Auckland College who took part, and to Steve Coulthard and Bishop Auckland Football Club for the use of the function room and facilities.

“Special thanks also to Katy Dixon (HE Development Co-ordinator) for organising the fundraising and the raffles.

“You can see how much work and thought has gone in and we really appreciate every ounce of effort.

“It was a fantastic event and an exciting game which finished 5-4 to the students and was very worthy of the cause.”

People can donate to the holiday appeal for Dom and his girls here.

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