Donors to fund Ipswich Town fan's bucket-list dream

Steve Kirby (left) and Gary Battle have become friends in recent years, and even refer to each other as "football brothers"

Nearly 200 donors have raised enough money to pay for a dying football fan to watch his favourite team with family and friends from an executive suite.

Gary Battle, 52, of Lowestoft, Suffolk, has a stage-four terminal brain tumour.

Steve Kirby, who lives near Maldon, Essex, launched an appeal to help his "football brother" achieve his dream of watching Ipswich Town from the Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Portman Road.

He will now watch Town play Rotherham from the suite on 27 January.

"We just wanted to try and do some things on his bucket list of Ipswich wishes. He's a full-on Ipswich fanatic," said Mr Kirby, also 52.

"In August, we arranged for him to go up to the training ground; met all the players, had lunch with the team. He got to spend some time with his favourite player Wes Burns, who he idolises."

Mr Battle met his idol, Ipswich Town's Welsh international winger Wes Burns, and described him as a "really sweet person"

Another of his friend's wishes, to watch a match in "a bit of quality and comfort", prompted Mr Kirby to launch the online appeal.

The initial target was £2,000, but the total raised has now passed £3,000 with 180 donors from across the globe.

"We had donors from all walks of life; some just a fiver, but we had one for £150. Just so generous, even from fans of other teams," said Mr Kirby.

Mr Kirby describes Nina, Gary's wife as the "life and soul of the section that we sit in", and has praised her fortitude since her husband's diagnosis in September 2022

Mr Battle, who has had 15 rounds of radiation therapy since his diagnosis in September 2022, said: "It's been so far, so good."

He described the current Ipswich side - second in the Championship - as "brilliant".

On his forthcoming visit to the Sir Bobby Robson Suite, he said: "I'm looking forward to it so much. I'm so excited. I can't even wait for this Saturday."

His wife, Nina Battle, said: "The support has been amazing. Within minutes, there was donation after donation. It was crazy - we're just so honoured."

Mr Battle said he intended to donate any remaining money to organisations that have helped his care, including The Big C and St Elizabeth Hospice.

Mr Kirby praised the "togetherness" of Ipswich fans, but also fans of rival clubs, including Fulham, Colchester United and Norwich City, who have contributed

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [e-mail] or WhatsApp [phone]