On Thursday evening a number of former players for Leeds United Women took on a gruelling cycle challenge to help raise funds for Stacey Daniels.

To help support the event and those taking part in the fundraising challenge, our very own Kalvin Phillips made an appearance at Elland Road to meet Stacey in person and learn more about her struggles since being diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) three years ago. Also in attendance were current Leeds United Women stars, Olivia Smart and Laura Bartup.

Over 15 people were involved in the cycle from Anfield to Elland Road, including the former England international Sue Smith who covered the entire 127 miles, starting at 5am and continuing through till 7.30pm.

The other former teammates that took part all learnt about Stacey and her diagnosis through their old manager Mark Hodgson, and together they all wanted to show their support by not only making personal donations and sharing the fundraising page online but going that extra mile by undertaking a challenge in her honour.

RRMS is a chronic and progressive neurological auto-immune disease that affects your central nervous system, and since the diagnosis Stacey has had to adapt to an incredibly difficult way of life with the disease progressing rapidly, and she now faces the possibility of losing all independence and life in a wheelchair.

Stacey and her loved ones are hoping to raise £50,000 for life-changing treatment that will include travelling to Mexico to undergo a 30-day in-patient Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), with the hopes that this will help her to beat the diagnosis for good.

During her time with Leeds United, Stacey was voted FAWPL Young Player of the Year and was part of the team that won promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League National Division in 2001.

For more information, or if you are able to make a donation to support Stacey with her fight, please click here.