THE community has rallied around a popular dad-of-two after he was given 12 months to live by doctors following a shock stage four cancer diagnosis.
Chris Procter, 35, of Gawber, is currently receiving end-of-life care at Barnsley Hospice having been given a terminal cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
It came as quite the shock for Chris - known affectionately as Beef - and his friends and family, as he originally only went to get checked up because he thought he may have IBS.
His best friend, Sam Wogan, told the Chronicle: “Back in February he went to A and E but he just thought that he had IBS.
“Within a week he was diagnosed with stage four cancer in four areas.
“It was his oesophagus, his lungs, stomach and his liver.
“Then a couple of weeks later it spread to his bowels.
“They’ve told him that he has no longer than 12 months to live so obviously it’s progressed pretty quickly.
“He’s just gone into Barnsley Hospice.
“It’s looking like he might be going in there permanently.
“They’ve been brilliant with him - everyone knows how good they are.”
Described as a funny and popular bloke, the news has certainly hit his friends and family for six - but they’re determined to keep smiling for him.
Sam added: “He’s an absolute character.
“He likes to play the class clown and village idiot.
“He just likes to make people laugh.
“He’s one of those happy-go-lucky kind of people.
“He’s got two kids and a long-term partner.
“Chris has got loads of different friendship circles that he’s built up.
“He loves his darts and his poker.
“He just wants everyone to treat him normally.
“He tries to see the light in it and he tends to be quite strong - he doesn’t break down or anything like that.”
A whole host of fundraisers are set to take place over the coming months, including the FA Shield final between Worsbrough Common - Chris’ team - and Rose and Crown.
Barnsley FA have offered to donate all the profits from the game to Chris for his funeral expenses and for his two children.
Sam added: “This gesture means a lot to everyone associated with Beef and I can’t thank people enough for their support so far.
“It would be amazing to see as many people there as possible supporting the cause.
“Beef is hoping to be in attendance as well but it won’t be confirmed until the day.
“Apart from him being one of Worsbrough Common’s own players, he has been a character over the years in Sunday League.
“His highlight being his brace at Oakwell for the Barnsley Sunday League XI.
There will be a couple of fundraising events happening for him over the coming weeks as he will be leaving behind his two young children.
“We’ve obviously got that fundraiser with the football and there’s a few lads from the team that are doing a coast-to-coast from Whitehaven to Sunderland.”
