Cancer patient helps raise more than £1,000 for charities

Jersey Netball Association put on the tournament for Sammy Kean who has stage four colon cancer

A stage four colon cancer patient has helped raised more than £1,000 for two charities that have helped her through a special netball tournament.

Sammy Kean, 31, was diagnosed on Christmas Eve in 2022 after she was rushed into hospital with a perforated bowel.

Ms Kean is an avid netball player and Jersey Netball Association (JNA) organised a fundraising tournament in her name at Les Ormes on Tuesday evening.

Around 50 people attended the event and the money will go to Jersey Cancer Relief and Friends of Oncology Jersey (FOJO).

Ms Kean has spoken about how grateful she is to be able to continue playing netball despite her cancer

Ms Kean also played in the tournament and was moved by the support shown by the JNA.

She said she was "just overwhelmed" and the charities involved "helped me so much over the last few years, financially and emotionally ".

"Sometimes I don't hold together as well but it's not all down to me and it's down to the netball community, my family, and my children as well - they keep me going," Ms Kean added.

She has two young children who cheered her on at the tournament.

Sarah Attwood had only moved to the island a couple of months ago before she heard Ms Kean's story on BBC Radio Jersey

Sarah Attwood heard Ms Kean's story on BBC Radio Jersey after moving to the island a couple of months ago and these were her first netball matches since making the move.

She said "I have a friend going through her cancer journey herself at the moment in the UK" and after hearing Ms Kean's story on the radio thought "it was a sign" to come out and support her.

Ms Attwood added: "I felt quite nervous coming along, like first day of school, but, actually everyone here has been really welcoming."

JNA also sold teas and cakes as well as taking additional donations for the cancer charities on the night.

JNA President Linda Andrews said it was important for the Association to support players

Linda Andrews is the President of the JNA and helped oversee the tournament.

She said "the Association classes ourselves as a family" and "we look after all our members whatever they're going through".

"She [Ms Kean] is just showing everybody that you don't have to stop for an illness just battle on through and have fun," Ms Andrews added.

Ms Kean also plans to do future fundraising events for other cancer charities in Jersey that have supported her as well.