The NPL championship trophy will be paying a visit to a fundraising event this Saturday in aid of John Tweedy, a porter at Darlington Memorial Hospital who is terminally ill.

One of his friends, Carolyn Degnan, told us:  “John has worked for NHS for many years. He'd been our porter until late last year when he became too unwell to work and is sadly fighting a losing battle. As he doesn't have any private life insurance and is unable to claim his pension he is worrying about his funeral costs which should be the last of his worries right now.

“We are trying to raise as much money as possible to help along with these costs. He is a caring, loyal and just general good guy that we are sad to lose as part of our team, we are just trying to give him the send off he deserves and show people that the NHS has some amazing staff that between us all we can do some great in the work place and outside.

“We are holding the fundraiser on Saturday at Darlington Railway Athletic Club on Brinkburn Road Darlington. We will be having a raffle, food, some games and disco just to generally try to get as much as possible for our friend.”

There is a just giving page if anyone wants to donate:

https://www.gofundme.com/johntweedysrainbow