A 53-year-old man from Purley who is fighting bowel cancer has organised a potentially record breaking bubble football match at Sutton United Football Club on Sunday (July 30) for the Bobby Moore Foundation.

James Cullen was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2016 and was forced to quit the studio manager role with the BBC that he had occupied for 31 years.

“It was soul destroying having to give up work,” James said. “I’m fighting this all the way and I’m looking to get back to work.”

James had to make regular trips to the Royal Marsden for chemotherapy over 16 weeks. He began organising charity events to raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund for other sufferers of bowel cancer.

“I wanted to put the chemo aside and get some positive things in my life so I started these events to help other people and keep myself positive.

“Personally it’s absolutely essential to my condition. There’s lots of negativity out there with my symptoms of bowl cancer. Focusing on this takes all that away. I get to meet other cancer sufferers and we can compare what we have been through and what I can expect if they are ahead of me.”

His next event is aiming to land him in the Guinness Book of World Records - a 66 person bubble football match being hosted in Gander Green Lane.

Members of the public can play in the match and it will cost £15 to sign up.

Stephanie Moore, wife of famous footballer Bobby Moore who lost his life to bowel cancer in 1993, will be in attendance.

According to James, Stephanie has been an instrumental help in maintaining his spirits.

He first met her during a charity walk from West Ham United’s Upton Park to Wembley Stadium in March 2016. James had signed up for the event before being diagnosed with cancer.

He said: “Stephanie rings me and sees how I’m doing. She kept my hopes up. I’ve had two operations and chemotherapy and radiotherapy and she has always been there for me. When she shook my hand that day I felt everything would be ok.

“I feel now I’m going to beat bowel cancer and through these events I have met so many lovely people. The help is fantastic.”

As well as striving to enjoy the football and possibly break a world record, James has organised for stalls, bouncy castles, an inflatable dartboard and refreshments to be available on the day.

Tickets can be bought on Sunday (July 30). It will cost £3 for adults and children go free.

James is also seeking some sponsorship for the event to raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund. Cullen's Clearance will be helping with the cost of the event.