CELEBRITIES, ex-footballers and even a comedian are joining forces to play a charity football match in aid of a little girl and her uncle.

Matthew Southgate, 27, a professional European Tour golfer from Southend, overcame testicular cancer last year and his niece Hattie, three, from Leigh has been fighting a rare type of leukaemia for more than a year at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Leigh Ramblers Football Club have always been close to the family and have decided to organise a friendly family day to raise awareness of two kinds of cancer and money to support the charities.

The impressive guest list includes West Ham legend Julian Dicks, former Southend United manager and former Eastenders actor and comedian Terry Alderton.

Mr Southgate said: “It was a really great surprise when I found out what the guys were up to. Raising awareness is a benefit to all, cancer is much easier to treat if you find it early on.

"Everyone should be aware of what is going on in their own body. I was very lucky, I caught my cancer very early on and so the treatment was successful and I’m fine now.”

The match, which kicks off at 2pm on Sunday, will see the all-star team take on Leigh Ramblers, raising money for the charities Ball Boys and Leukaemia Care.

Colin Hall, 40, who helped organise the event, said: “Every year Leigh Ramblers try and help raise money for a charity.

"This year the chairman, Paul Cannon, decided to support the Southgate family. It was an easy choice to make."

The performance coach for Southend United Academy said: "For me, the day is about making people stop and think about how lucky they are to not have gone through what Hattie has.

The Echo has regularly told Hattie's brave story battling leukaemia and the fantastic efforts of family and friends to raise funds and awareness.

Mr Wall added: "It’s our way of supporting the family. It’s incomprehensible what they have gone through and if we can generate some cash for their chosen charities, all the better.

Talking about the match, which will be held at Selex Sports Centre, Basildon, Mr Wall said: “I have somehow been convinced to play but I’ll let the professionals do all the work.”

The modest Mr Wall has previously played football for Canvey Island, Chelmsford City and the West Ham youth team.

Tickets are available on the day at £5 for adults and £3 for children or you can buy them from Osborne Bros, in High Street, Leigh, Daws Heath Timber, in Daws Heath Road, Thundersley, Rossco Barbers, in London Road, Leigh, or First4Mortgages, in Madeira Avenue, Leigh.