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Natalie achieves her dream of seeing West Ham United FC play as she battles rare cancer




A Downham woman has achieved her lifelong dream of seeing West Ham play as she battles a rare form of cancer.

Natalie Blandford,39, was diagnosed with stage four terminal sinus cancer earlier this year, after seeking medical advice for toothache.

Her mum, Gill, has spoken of the "shocking" outcome for her daughter, after she was wrongly diagnosed and given antibiotics for an infection.

The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Natalie Blandford with the Match Trophies. (55133021)
The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Natalie Blandford with the Match Trophies. (55133021)

She said: "It was such a shock, we didn't expect it at all."

On Saturday, a special ladies football squad was formed to play the Blandford Cup, a fundraising match held at West Lynn Social Club.

Natalie has always had a passion for football, and in her younger years played on a ladies team called the Lynn Legends.

The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Wight Eagles FC from the Isle of Wight with Natalie Blandford (back Centre). (55133020)
The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Wight Eagles FC from the Isle of Wight with Natalie Blandford (back Centre). (55133020)

The Legends were reformed for the match, and won their game 2-1.

They played against Isle of Wight Team the Wight Eagles FC.

The game raised an impressive £1,610 and a Go Fund Me page has raised a further £6,718 for the cause.

Gill and Natalie's wife Connie, have been working overtime to help Natalie achieve her dreams, one of which was seeing West Ham play from the Royal Box.

The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Nat's King's Lynn Legends FC with Natalie Blandford (back 4th left). (55133009)
The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Nat's King's Lynn Legends FC with Natalie Blandford (back 4th left). (55133009)

The family set off to watch the game on Sunday, where they beat Wolves 1-0.

Natalie and Connie recently wed, which was also on the 39-year-old's bucket list.

To donate to Natalie's page, set up by her cousin, Anne click here.

The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Family members at the game, LtoR, Jayne Jenner, James Blandford, Natalie Blandford, Connie Blandford-Heaney, Gill Blandford, Stuart Blandford. (55133010)
The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Family members at the game, LtoR, Jayne Jenner, James Blandford, Natalie Blandford, Connie Blandford-Heaney, Gill Blandford, Stuart Blandford. (55133010)
The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Action from the Game between Nat's King's Lynn Legends FC v Wight Eagles FC from the Isle of Wight. (55133004)
The Blandford Cup Fundraiser Ladies Football Match, arranged by friends of Natalie Blandford and played at West Lynn Social Club Ground...Action from the Game between Nat's King's Lynn Legends FC v Wight Eagles FC from the Isle of Wight. (55133004)


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