Barry postman Matthew Danks fights against myeloma

Postman Matthew Danks' world was shattered when he got the news he suffered from blood cancer myeloma.

His family described how Mr Danks was suffering from back pain, but that back pain was in fact something much more serious.

“So dad started off with back pain that he just couldn’t shift,” said the family. “He spent months limping around and just thinking that it was caused by being a postie for so many years.

“He started seeing someone privately for his back, but it wasn’t doing anything for him and was hurting him more.

“His back was checked over and it felt like something wasn’t right so he was able to chase up a GP appointment for some blood tests.

“His first two or three clotted so they were unable to test for anything, finally they had a successful blood test and it came back that he had myeloma which he was diagnosed with in December 2023.”

Matthew Danks thought he had back pain (pictured with wife Angie) (Image: Supplied)

Mr Danks was in fact suffering from myeloma (Image: Supplied)

In wake of the news the community of Barry responded, hosting a charity football match on June 9.

Barry Delivery Office and Cardiff North Delivery Office had a football match in Jenner Park stadium, with the pitch and food provided by Barry Town Untied plus a £150 donation from the club.

On the football match, daughter Abigail posted: “It was a very successful fundraising day for Myeloma UK.

“To a lot of us at Royal Mail ‘Danksy’ is not just a colleague he’s a friend.

“He’s always showed kindness and patience towards us so we decided to arrange a fundraising day and raise as much money as possible for Myeloma UK.”

So far the football has raised over £1,700.

A charity football match was put on at Jenner Park to raise money for myeloma support (Image: Supplied)

Mr Danks family and friends have supported him throughout (Image: Supplied)

The football match, played between members of Mr Danks' work, raised over £1,700 (Image: Supplied)

And on 'Danksy's' prospects, it’s not all doom and gloom as he enters the next stage of his fight.

“Danksy is such a happy, grateful and kind person,” said the family.

“He had four months of induction treatment and is now starting his stem cell transplant journey to hopefully put him in remission.

“Unfortunately myeloma is incurable so can come back at anytime, but we are hoping the stem cell transplant will put him in remission for many years and he can live a normal, happy life again.”

To find out more and donate to fighting myeloma, go to: www.myeloma.org.uk/