A CANCER charity is hoping eight York snooker players will put it in the frame for a pot of gold at the end of a 24-hour marathon.

The team of friends will be lining up on the colours at Bootham Conservative Club from 11am on Monday.

The club’s trophy-winning team decided to stage the fundraiser when taxi driver Wayne Glaister, 42, told them how Macmillan Cancer Support had helped him cope with cancer. “I found out that Macmillan didn’t get any funding from the Government and I asked the lads about doing a snooker marathon. They were willing to come along for the full 24 hours.”

Mr Glaister, of Anthea Drive, Huntington, was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney earlier this year and had his kidney removed. “The Macmillan nurses were absolutely fantastic. I wanted to do something to raise some money,” he said.

He is confident he will keep a wide-awake eye on the ball throughout the 24 hours because, as a taxi driver doing night shifts, he is used to being alert after dark.

He and fellow team member Tony Cox plan to play non-stop for the entire 24 hours, with the other players taking spells against them. They have already chalked up donations in the charity boxes placed on the club’s bar.

All the players have been pocketing promises of sponsorship, and they aim to top £1,000 before taking to the green baize.