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TOWIE's James Argent and Dan Osborne, EastEnders' Dean Gaffney and former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara to play in celebrity football match in Chatham for Leilani Aisthorpe

17:13, 31 October 2022

updated: 17:14, 31 October 2022

Reality TV and soap stars will be going head-to-head against former footballers to raise money for a seriously ill tot.

The celebrities will be playing a match at Chatham Football Club's ground to help fund life-saving surgery for Leilani Aisthorpe.

Leilani after her heart operation. Picture: Louise Aisthorpe
Leilani after her heart operation. Picture: Louise Aisthorpe

The one-year-old was born with a condition called Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery (ARSA), which means her fourth heart vessel branches out of the aortic arch and goes behind the windpipe and oesophagus.

She also suffers from a rare condition where three-quarters of her right lung is dead.

But the tot cannot be treated by the NHS as it is such a complex condition so her family had to locate a specialist consultant who could perform the procedures she needed.

Earlier this year, Leilani had a £40,000 operation to re-route her artery but due to complications and further tests it rose by £15,000.

The youngster then had to have emergency surgery which increased the bill and will need another to remove her lung.

Mum Louise, Leilani and dad Leon Aisthorpe. Picture: Louise Aisthorpe
Mum Louise, Leilani and dad Leon Aisthorpe. Picture: Louise Aisthorpe

Mum Louise from Hathaway Court, Rochester, said as the treatments are so expensive they are trying to fundraise as much as they can.

To do so, the family have now joined forces with organisers Sellebrity Soccer to organise a celebrity match at Chatham FC's Maidstone Road ground on November 27. Tickets are on sale now and are £12.

Players include former amateur footballer Jeremy Lynch, TV personality Calum Best, former Tottenham player Jamie O'Hara, YouTuber Theo Baker and musician Flintz.

They will be joined by EastEnders' Dean Gaffney – aka Robbie Jackson – and TOWIE stars Dan Osborne and James 'Arg' Argent – who is also starring in this year's Gravesend pantomime.

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