Dean Lambert, a 38-year-old father of two from Mansfield, now living in Gloucester, has faced an unimaginable health struggle. Despite beating cancer twice—once involving the removal of half his tongue and later part of his lung—Dean has received a heartbreaking diagnosis: stage 4 sarcoma cancer.
Dean lives with his wife, Hayley, and their daughters, Evie, 8, and Rosie, 4. His courageous fight began years ago when he underwent surgery that included a skin graft after half of his tongue was removed, followed by six months of intensive speech therapy. In 2024, cancer spread to his lungs, necessitating the removal of part of one lung. Now, the disease has advanced to both lungs, and with chemotherapy on the horizon, Dean faces a rare form of sarcoma so uncommon that only one other person in his age group shares this diagnosis worldwide.
Reflecting on his journey, Dean shared, “It’s been a massive battle for four years. You don’t really believe it at the start. The first diagnosis was the most frightening, but when it came back, I thought, ‘I’ve beaten it once’.” Despite leading a healthy lifestyle—avoiding smoking, drugs, and heavy drinking—the diagnosis was still a jarring wake-up call. However, the overwhelming love and support he has received has been a vital source of strength.
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In response to Dean’s condition, his longtime friend Matthew Spalding and a group of close friends have launched a fundraising campaign aimed at helping Dean create lasting memories with his children and ease financial burdens. Matthew explained, “Dean has always been a wonderful bloke, and after hearing about his diagnosis, we wanted to do something meaningful. Our goal is to unite both the Mansfield and football communities to support him and his family.”
One of the key events organized is a sponsored walk from Mansfield to the Aston Villa Stadium, honoring Dean’s passion for Villa football club. The walk will begin on May 15 at the One Call Stadium, proceeding through Derby and Lichfield, and concluding at Villa Park in time for the football season’s final game.
Dean expressed his gratitude, saying, “The generosity of everyone has been incredible. None of us are wealthy, so to see so much kindness means the world. My priority is to take my kids on holidays and day trips—to give them happiness despite the circumstances.”
As Dean faces this daunting battle, the unity and compassion of his friends and community offer a beacon of hope and a chance for him to make treasured memories with his family.