Walking football group helps cancer patients

The Tackle Cancer walking football group which meets in Bowthorpe in Norfolk was set up by cancer charity The Big C

A walking football group for people and their loved ones who have experienced cancer is an opportunity to "totally forget about their problems", a charity has said.

The Tackle Cancer group, which meets at the Football Development Centre in Bowthorpe, Norwich, aims to provide exercise in a safe and supported space.

Cancer charity The Big C, which set up the group, runs a variety of events and support groups for people affected by cancer.

Amy Goreham from the charity said: "While people are having a laugh... they can forget anything else that is going on in their life."

Amy Goreham from the Big C Cancer Charity said having peer support is really important as going through cancer can be "really isolating"

Ms Goreham, health academy educational facilitator at the charity, said having peer support was really important as cancer was a "really isolating experience".

"Really the exercise can be secondary, because while people are having a laugh, while they are able to be outside, they can forget anything else that is going on in their life," she said.

Sarah Cullum, who was diagnosed with cancer in August 2023, said going to the group with her husband has "done us both good".

"I went through chemotherapy and a big operation... it's been a very traumatic time and we are still sort of going through it.

"My husband has really suffered as well so coming to this walking football has been a great boost to both of us.. it's not about just kicking a ball around and having a game."

Ms Cullum has been to a variety of groups and sessions offered by the Norwich based cancer charity and said it gives her "time to get away from the worries".

Tim Warner, a Norwich City Community Sports Foundation coach, said being involved with the group was "so rewarding".

"It's nice to know that just for a couple of hours a week these good folk can come along and totally forget about their problems," he said.

"You genuinely are helping people who are at their lowest ebbs sometimes and to get the feedback from them to know you are genuinely helping them to overcome their problems... it's so rewarding, I wouldn't do anything else."