SHOLING will be holding a collection for Macmillan Cancer Support during tomorrow’s FA Vase quarter-final tie against Wisbech Town.

The Boatmen’s senior steward Graham Colbourne – affectionately known as Spud – surprised the club recently by announcing he will be running this year’s London Marathon on behalf of the charity having recently lost his mother to cancer.

“Graham is trying to raise £2,000 and we have agreed tomorrow would be an ideal match to not only help support Graham during his grief, but to make everyone aware of the support that is given when a family member is diagnosed,” explained Sholing secretary Greg Dickson.

“Furthermore in August 2012 club secretary Colin Chamberlain was diagnosed with throat cancer and I took on Colin’s role from being his assistant.

“Thankfully, in January last year Colin was given the all-clear and he put so much of it down to the part Macmillan Cancer Support played in his recovery. Hence Colin was one of the first to support Graham in his goal.

“I am sure that every family is affected by cancer in some way during their lives and we will be having a collection for Macmillan tomorrow and distributing leaflets about what they do.” When Sholing’s support of the charity came to the attention of supporter Phil Bell, he agreed to sponsor tomorrow’s tie on Macmillan’s behalf.

Bell explained: “Greg mentioned that he and (club chairman/manager) Dave Diaper had decided that Sholing would not be asking for a match day sponsor. This way all the posters, collections, donations etc would not conflict with the match day sponsor’s wishes and demands.

“I know that lower league clubs are struggling with finance at the moment and every little counts, so I said I would put £100 into the club so that Sholing do not lose out by supporting a worthwhile charity.

“I have been to a few games this season and have seen that Sholing have been supporting many charities. I was impressed that they take the time to organise and stage these events and do not take an attitude that they should be getting money from people without doing their bit as well.

“They also use their programme for awareness of charities and of little-known children’s diseases that are terminal, again without any prompting or financial profit for them.

“Sholing are paying the match fee with their good nature and I am doing what others do and donating money to the club because I was impressed with their attitude.”