LOCAL walking footballers Deb Neale and Kirsten Pybus are living proof that life goes on after a cancer diagnosis.

They are proud to say that being part of Dawlish Women’s Walking Football Club has helped during their treatment and recovery.

“Walking football has improved my well-being in so many ways” says Deb Neale, who has recently finished her treatment.

“It gives me a sense of purpose and is such great fun. I feel alive again. I owe so much to the club.”

Now fit and healthy, Kirsten was recently given the opportunity to play at Anfield, the home of current Premier League Champions, Liverpool FC.

Thanks to the partnership between The Walking Football Association and AXA, The England Women’s Kicking Cancer Team played a series of matches in the stadium.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Kirsten.

She continued, “All of the team are cancer survivors. To use the player’s dressing room and walk out through the tunnel onto the pitch was something none of us will forget.”

The players were given a pre-match team talk by ex-England and Liverpool player Natasha Dowie, now Liverpool FC Ambassador.

“After the final whistle ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was played. We sang, we laughed, we cried and hugged each other. It was a very emotional day and I’m so grateful to have been given the chance to make special memories with such an amazing group of women.”

Kirsten and Deb want to raise awareness of this awful disease and show how the support of a positive group of women can benefit anyone going through their own trauma.

“We cannot emphasise enough what a positive impact walking football has on our physical and mental health. Come and give it a go. You won’t regret it.” For more information on walking football email the club on [email protected] or go to their FB page, Dawlish Women Walking Football.