Friends rally round Poulton dad after diagnosis - and raise thousands for his children

The friends and family of Barney Woolcock have rallied to raise cash for his childrens future after he was given another devastating diagnosis

Barney Woolcock was battling Burkitt lymphoma, which affects just 210 people a year in the UK, before doctors broke the latest devastating news last week.

Thousands of pounds have now been raised for the 35-year-old’s children, in a fundraising campaign backed by ex-England footballer Paul Gascoigne.

Barney’s friends turned out to say their goodbyes at a bash in Poulton earlier this week, Barney’s mum Judy said, while a fund-raising event was also held in the town.

Judy, who was speaking to The Gazette with the blessing of Barney, said: “Barney had terrible headaches and asked for a scan. The results came back that the cancer is in his brain and there’s nothing they can do now.

“They have given him one to two weeks – at the outside he has six to eight. His sight is already going and his hearing is going.” Barney was first diagnosed the same day his sister Louise – who died at 21 after her own cancer fight – would have turned 46.

In December, Judy spoke of her anguish and launched a search for a life-saving stem cell donor for Barney, saying ‘the prognosis is poor if they don’t find one’.

She was preparing to give him some of her own after completing tests when the brain cancer was revealed. Almost £10,000 has been donated online since last week, which will be given to Barney’s children Evie, nine, and Max, four.

Gazza retweeted a link to the site. Danny Morley, who opened the JustGiving page, said: “Barney has put many people’s issues, worries, and stresses into perspective and, in turn, I believe has brightened people’s outlook on their life while going through the worst possible moments in his. I have seen comments about how inspirational and positive he is, so now, with a heavy heart it is time to repay the favour. Let’s aim for £15,000 to make a difference in two lives the way Barney has for so many.”

Donations of up to £1,500 have poured in alongside moving messages of support as Barney’s friends, family, and strangers made their heartbreak clear.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/barneywoolcock