Sheffield Wednesday: Owls legends help raise cash for cancer victim

Wednesday legends John Sheridan, David Hirst and Chris Waddle during their Q&A

David Hirst, Chris Waddle and John Sheridan were the guest of honours in a special ‘Hirsty’s Bar’ at Hillsborough last Thursday.

The sold-out event, which was organised by Nigel Short and staged in the 1867 Suite, saw the trio take part in a question and answer session, pose for pictures and sign autographs. It also featured a raffle, auction and stand-up bingo, raising £6,076 for the Hayley Kalinins Cancer Appeal.

Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri shares a selfie with a supporter

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Just over a fortnight has passed since mum-of-four Hayley, who has been battling breast cancer, which has now spread to her liver and lungs, since 2011, launched an online campaign to raise £50,000 for the treatment in the US.

Hayley, who is married to Andy, who is tasked with keeping Wednesday’s players fit and healthy, has recently completed her 70th gruelling chemotherapy session and wants to try alternative cancer therapies in a bid to extend her life.

She has defied the odds, having initially been given just eight months to live.

More than 2,600 people, including several Owls first-team players, have made donations, with the figure raised topping £56,000, just over a fortnight after the GoFundMe online donation site was set-up.

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Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri, who addressed the audience before the start of the evening, said: “It’s been incredible how much money has been raised in a short space of time. You are very special people at a very special club.”

New Oldham Athletic manager Sheridan told The Star: “Hirsty asked me and Chris to come down and we were both too willing. We would do anything for Wednesday and it is a great cause.

“It’s not something you wish on anyone and hopefully everything works out successfully with the treatment that Hayley gets.”

Short has thanked Sheridan, Waddle and Hirst for lending their support.

“It was a brilliant night and everyone pulled together and did everything free or at cost to maximise the fundraising, including the players,” he said.

To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/6rhyr2nk.

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