Friends, family and football fans came together in a show of solidarity with a dad coming to terms with a shock cancer diagnosis.

Lordswood man Adam Thornton’s life was turned upside down in March, when the 37-year-old dad of one was diagnosed with incurable myeloma bone cancer.

Although rocked by the news, Adam is coming to terms with the disease and friends have rallied to support him, wife Vicky and son Josh, through his fight.

Among them are childhood friends Joe Shilleto and Joe Carins, whose company AllType Surfacing and Construction sponsor Chatham Town FC - and recently the club came together at The Sports Ground in Maidstone Road to help the friends raise more than £2,200 for Adam.

While fans got to enjoy Chatham’s 2-0 win over Bearsted, there was extra fundraising fun including facepainting, half time penalties, and a raffle, with prizes donated by business contacts and friends.

Speaking at the match Adam, a finance manager for courier firm DHL, explained how myeloma had impacted on his life in multiple ways, physically and psychologically.

“Obviously it’s a massive shock,” he said. “I’ve also got fractures all down my back because it weakens your bones, so the impact is quite big and it affects mobility.

“I’m dealing with that side of it and I’ve started chemotherapy. Unfortunately it’s not curable, but it is treatable. I go to London once a week for chemotherapy and I take chemo tablets. They’re also trying to straighten my spine and I’m wearing brace.

“The treatment is supposed to get rid of the myeloma and give me hopefully a bit of time and quality of life, but it will come back - it’s all about giving me time.”

Money raised will help support Adam and his family, and go towards possible modifications to make their home more wheelchair accessible.