Football match for dad who died from brain tumour

Mauricee said she wanted to create a "legacy" following Sam Bravo-Hibberd's death

A football match is being held in honour of a father who died months after he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Former satellite engineer and business consultant Sam Bravo-Hibberd, from Peterborough, died of a glioblastoma in February.

A five-a-side match is being organised by Mr Bravo-Hibberd's widow Mauricee and her friend Lois Stephens.

Mauricee said he would be "chuffed" to know everyone was coming together to fundraise for Brain Tumour Research.

"Every day is hard without Sam, especially as this was his first birthday without him," she said.

"The support of our friends has been invaluable.

"It's heart-breaking that Sam is no longer here, but in his death, I want to create a legacy of helping to fund research into brain tumours; to give hope to future patients and their families affected by this horrible disease."

Sam Bravo-Hibberd had surgery and radiotherapy shortly after his third child Alejandria was born

Two months after the couple welcomed their third child, Mr Bravo-Hibberd had surgery and radiotherapy.

His family hoped he would participate in treatment trials, but his cancer was too aggressive.

Mr Bravo-Hibberd, who was a big football fan, had three children aged 14, three and 11 months.

Mauricee, 37, who works as a specialist practitioner in a surgery, said her friend Ms Stephens was "amazing" for organising the football match while "navigating exams" and while being a mother.

"She organised a similar event in December when Sam was still alive," she explained.

Mauricee has donated money to the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University in London.

A fundraising event was organised in December by Mauricee and her friend for Mr Bravo-Hibberd's private treatment

Charlie Allesbrook, from Brain Tumour Research, said: "The drive of his family and friends is deeply inspiring and we are grateful for their support."

The five-a-side match is due to take place on Sunday at Powerleague Peterborough.