Wolves supporter’s mission to raise money and spread hope after life-changing cancer diagnosis

Since that moment, there have been lifestyle changes, new routines, different dietary requirements and many other factors that have brought considerable change. But throughout it all, Meakin’s personality and desire to help others shines through.

He has set up a charity football team called RWTC FC - raising money for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity.

“Rather than having one charity match for the trust charity a year,” Meakin explains, “I just thought if we set up a proper team, we can take it out on the road. The first game was at Bilston Town and the next one is at Wednesfield FC this Friday. Then there'll be one at Wolverhampton City at some point. So we are here, there, and everywhere; wherever will have us!

“There is a core group of players that I've kept from a charity game in May, and others from the year before at the Content Creators Cup at Wolves. A lot of it comes through networking from my time in radio, such as Tyler Denny [former professional boxer] making his debut for us this Friday. Everyone's brilliant, I spoke to Rise With Harry [TikTok content creator] this morning and he's just happy to be a part of it. He'll come and sit on the bench for 90 minutes, he's not bothered, everybody just wants to get involved and raise money for the charity, everyone's class with it.”

RWTC FC’s first fixture, against RWT Staff at Bilston Town Football Club, in October, raised £708.52 for the charity. The team is now preparing for its second outing, taking on Teachers FC at Wednesfield. The opposition will feature teachers from schools across Wolverhampton and surrounding areas.

Meakin’s project has already attracted an impressive collection of familiar faces, with former Wolves captain Karl Henry, ex-Wolves winger Zeli Ismail and Wolves Women manager Dan McNamara among those who have supported the organised fixtures.

“When Karl Henry came in under Mick McCarthy, I remember thinking, ‘that's nice, we’ve got a proper Wolverhampton lad coming in’,” Meakin recalls. “Then I watched him progress to club captain when we got promoted and then watched him play in the Premier League.

“Paul Berry [Wolves Foundation Head of Media] had a good hand in getting Karl involved and when he confirmed he would play I couldn't believe it. He came down on the day and it was nice to talk to him and have him involved, and for me, he's still got it. He could probably still do a job!

“Macca [Dan McNamara] was straight on it, I've known Macca for a little bit. I made him captain of my team, the winning side! Zeli keeps in touch regularly. I speak with him a lot and he actually came down to the opening game at Bilston. I didn't ask him to play in case he injured his knee but he said if he was free he'd come down, which he did. It's nice that he's kept in touch and came to support.”

Meakin will never forget the day he received the words that would flip his world upside down.

“We just came back from a couple of days in London and we were watching boxing,” he continues. “I went to bed and I just started getting this abdominal pain and I didn't know what it was, so we went into A&E because I was in agony. I was shouting out in pain.

“We went through all these tests and it was the following day, around lunchtime, we finally got called over by this doctor. He asked if I had lost weight, I said I had but I had been trying to lose weight. He asked about fatigue, but I put that down to the job I was doing. He asked if I'd lost my appetite and I said I was just eating less.

“He sat there and he said the scan results had come back and told me it was cancer. I couldn't even tell you what happened after that, It was like time froze. I was sitting in the corridor in tears, just in disbelief, because you never really think it's going to happen to you.”

Meakin, alongside his wife Lauren, went to see a private specialist to get a second opinion. It was there they were given another devastating revelation.

“We'd seen a private specialist for a second opinion, he went through what we'd already seen, but in a bit more depth. I asked him if it had gone undetected for long. ‘How long would you say looking at that, I've had cancer?’ He said, ‘two years’. I had no idea, I was just living my life as normal. I couldn't quite believe it, to be honest.”

Two weeks later, those same agonising pains returned which led the Meakins back to New Cross Hospital.

“They'd done more tests and scans and couldn’t quite figure out what it was, so they discharged me. We were ready to go and a doctor came running down the corridor and said we couldn't leave, and he told me I had appendicitis.

“That's what the pain was when I'd gone in in the first place, they were obviously focussing on everything else and found the cancer. So if it wasn't for having appendicitis, I might not have found out about the cancer. I might not even have known now.”

Since his diagnosis, Meakin has made a conscious decision to speak openly about his experiences, using social media platforms to raise awareness and encourage others to seek medical advice, and offer support to those facing similar circumstances.

“A blood test could save your life,” he says. “It's as simple as that. Please, get yourself checked. On the back of discussing the subject with Mark Rhodes at the BBC, I received messages from people who got tested. Unfortunately, a couple of those people were diagnosed with cancer, but it was caught early and they were receiving treatment to cure it. I've helped save two lives and that's incredible.

“And with supporting others, I want my fellow cancer warriors to know that it's ok not to be ok. You're allowed to have days when you feel down, when you question a lot of things and hate the world. The physical side of the battle is tough but it really does help to open up.

“Don't be scared to tell a friend or a loved one that you're feeling low. Text them, call them, go out for coffee, do whatever you need to do. And people that know somebody going through it, please be there for them through it. I've lost so many friends because of no contact but I'm lucky enough to have an incredible wife, family and friends who have stuck by my side through it all.

“I'm open to talking to anybody about their cancer journey too. Newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, in remission, whatever stage. Friends and family of somebody affected. I'm happy to support people and my inboxes are always open.”

The diagnosis brought a significant change to Meakin’s life, forcing him to step away from parts of the routine he had previously known. Prior to becoming ill, he worked as a teaching assistant supporting neurodivergent children, a role he remains incredibly proud of. Alongside this, he was involved in local media with WCR FM, hosting Wolverhampton Sport every Wednesday. However, the diagnosis doesn’t stop him running the social media accounts of non-league club Wolverhampton City, which he continues to do every day.

Shortly after the 35-year-old had publicly shared his diagnosis, the official Wolves X account shared a message of support to the lifelong supporter. And when Meakin eventually returned to Molineux to watch Wolves vs Liverpool in the FA Cup, stadium announcer Dave Hunt shared a welcoming message on the microphone - two moments that Meakin will never forget.

“Lauren is a Liverpool fan so we went to Molineux to watch the game and at half-time and I heard Dave say my name, I was in shock! I didn’t have a clue it was happening, I have no idea who organised it either, but whoever did it, that meant a lot.”

Football has always meant more than just 90 minutes for Meakin, but following his diagnosis, its importance has taken on an entirely new meaning. There is no escaping the reality of his diagnosis, nor the physical and emotional challenges that come with it.

Meakin’s incredible mindset, alongside the support of Lauren, his family, friends and the wider football community, help him continue to strive forward and make a difference. His story is a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, there can be purpose, hope and an opportunity to help others - and it is incredibly inspiring to see.

Tickets for RWTC FC’s fixture against Teachers FC this Friday are available on the gate at Wednesfield Football Club for £5, with tickets for under-12s priced at £2. Kick-off is at 7:45pm. All proceeds support The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity.