A terminally ill father is auctioning his prized collection of signed football shirts, including those from legends Pele and David Beckham, to raise £7,000 for a final family holiday to Disneyland.
Chris Capstick's Battle with Brain Cancer
Chris Capstick, 41, from the Wirral, has been told he has only months to live after his brain cancer returned. Originally diagnosed in 2023, he was declared in remission following intensive treatment, but the cancer reappeared eight months ago. Doctors have now given him less than 12 months to live.
Despite his condition, Chris holds onto two wishes: seeing England win the World Cup and creating unforgettable holiday memories for his children. He plans to use the funds from the shirt sale to take his wife Lauren and their daughters Mila, 10, Isabella, 6, and Nylah, 2, on a trip of a lifetime to Florida.
The Shirt Collection
The collection features 57 signed shirts, including those worn by David Beckham, Pele, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland. A Brazil shirt signed by Pele, complete with a certificate of authenticity, is among the highlights. Other items include shirts from Liverpool heroes Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Stan Collymore, and John Barnes, each expected to fetch between £70 and £120.
Chris, who works for the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "I started collecting football shirts when I was 19 or 20. I'm a massive Liverpool fan. When I saw a shirt I wanted, I just went for it." He added: "The shirts are currently in the loft. My wife Lauren has been on at me to get rid of them, so now I have decided to do so and take the girls to Disney World."
Auction Details
The collection is set to sell for a total of £7,000 but could fetch much more at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire. The auction will take place on June 22.
Hansons owner Charles Hanson said: "People sell prized possessions for all sorts of reasons, but there could be no better reason than why Chris is selling his beloved collection. We wish him and his family all the best and hope this sale can make at least one of their dreams come true."
