Wigan Athletic’s Callum Jones set for emotional Easter fundraiser after beating cancer
It’s going to be a very special Easter weekend for one Wigan family, as they take on a 20-mile walk to give something back to the hospital that saved their son’s life.
Callum Jones, now 20, was just 17 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, only five weeks before his 18th birthday in October 2023.
At the time, he was in the second year of his scholarship with Wigan Athletic, a club he’s been part of since he was eight years old.
Callum was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease, with a tumour that had taken over his chest cavity. Treatment started quickly and it was intense. Over the months that followed, he went through six rounds of chemotherapy and 20 sessions of radiotherapy. Even that came with its own challenge, having to hold his breath for 45 seconds at a time so doctors could safely treat the area near his heart. It was a tough time for the whole family, but Callum never let it show.
His mum, Kelly, said: “Callum’s mindset and behaviour was impeccable from start to finish. He was so strong and positive and kept us all going.”
In February 2024, after completing treatment, Callum returned to training with Wigan Athletic and was given what the club described as a “hero’s welcome” by his teammates.
At the time, he said he had been through “a tough few months” but was “happy to be able to say that my treatment has been successful”.
“I can’t wait to be back to full health and back on the pitch,” he said.
Later that year, in November 2024, came another huge milestone when Callum rang the bell after being given the all clear at The Christie in Manchester, the hospital where he received his life-saving treatment.
And then came a moment that felt like everything had come full circle.
Nine months later, in September last year, Callum made his professional debut for Wigan Athletic, the club he’s supported since he was a young boy. The club described it as a “fairytale story” and it’s hard to argue with that.
Now, he’s back doing what he loves best. Football, his girlfriend, friends, family, and just getting on with life.
To give something back to the hospital that saved his life, the family, along with friends and supporters, are taking on a 20-mile walk from Wigan Pier to Southport Pier on Saturday 4th April. The route is expected to take around seven to eight hours.
“Without The Christie, Callum simply would not be here today, the work they do there is nothing short of incredible, saving and changing lives every single day” Kelly said. “We kept saying we’d do something once we’d ‘got over it’, but the reality is we may never truly get over it. So we’re putting on our big girl/boy pants and getting started.”
They’re inviting anyone who fancies the challenge to join them, and for those who can’t, donations of any size are hugely appreciated. Kelly added. “We just want to give something back.”
Because for this family, this is about more than just fundraising.
It’s about gratitude.
And making sure others get the same chance they did.
They’ll be setting off from Wigan Pier at 9am on Saturday morning if you want to wave them off, and if you want to donate, click here.
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