A FOOTBALL club is raising cash for the charity that helped save their manager’s life.

Chris Todd was fighting for his life after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia – just five weeks before his first Christmas as a dad.

After months of conducting tests and waiting for results Chris, who was 27 at the time, was prescribed the drug imatinib, otherwise known by its brand name Glivec.

Soon tests showed the cancerous cells were starting to leave his blood and the defender began feeling better.

Now the married dad-of-three has been in remission more than four years – but he says it’s down to the charity Bloodwise, which researched the life-saving drug.

Since then he has held dozens of charity events raising thousands for the cause.

And now Eastleigh Football Club has got on board.

Today they will hold a huge charity event to raise cash for the charity that played a big part in saving the Spitfires’ manager.

Hundreds of people are expected to visit Silverlake Stadium for a day of live music and family activities at the event which will be opened by club founder Derik Brooks and the Mayor of Eastleigh Maureen Sollitt at 12pm.

There will also be the chance to get a first glimpse of this season’s kit and to meet the club’s first team – including their eight new players which the club has signed this summer.

Chris, 34, said: “It’s a cause close to my heart and they have been a big part in me being healthy and being able to do what I do now.

“I have worked with Bloodwise for a few years now and it means a lot that the club has decided to support this charity and I’m thankful for that. It should be a really good day.

“Being diagnosed with leukaemia was a massive bomb shell and something that turned my world upside down.

“When I first got that phone call I was thinking I wasn’t going to be around to support my partner and my daughter.

“I was in a bad place and I needed treatment to get myself better.

“You don’t think something like that could happen until it does but it can happen to anyone.

“The charity needs everyday people to help them so they can end leukaemia and help save more people.

“Anything we do at this event is going to help that cause massively.”

Meanwhile, head of youth development and former footballer Lee Peacock will be arriving back at the club during the event after a mammoth fundraising challenge that has seen him cycle 1,200km around France – visiting all of the stadiums hosting the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament.

The 39-year-old dad-of-two’s solo challenge aims to raise thousands for Cavendish Cancer Care and help pay for a special new room at Southampton General Hospital’s stroke unit which will be used by families of patients.