THE wife of former Warrington Wolves player Greg Mackey has said the kindness and generosity from supporters has been 'overwhelming' after the Warrington Guardian revealed his battle with cancer.

In a heartfelt letter to the club, fans and 'Wolves friends', Amanda Mackey said she could never thank everyone enough for their messages and donations during a time when the 52-year-old has been particularly poorly.

As reported in July this year, the former club captain, who holds the club record for most consecutive appearances, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2011 and after years of operations and chemotherapy has now been told his illness is terminal.

Former team mates and friends in Warrington have been helping to raise cash towards a new German drug trial which has so far made the former half back very sick but recent blood test results appear to show it is having an effect on the cancer.

Mum-of-three Amanda added: "At times in hospital Greg has been too sick to read your messages so I have been reading them to him every couple of nights.

"They have certainly put a smile on his face and have bought back so many wonderful memories, for him and myself, of our time in England."

The grandparents to 11-month-old identical twins Grace and Lillian had no idea their daughter Ebony had contacted some of the couple's old friends in England asking if they could help with expensive chemotherapy treatment.

But former Stockton Heath and Appleton resident Amanda , who now lives in Sydney, added they could not be upset for long and it had turned into a 'blessing'.

She said: "It has taken a lot of pressure off Greg, giving him more strength and will power to concentrate on surviving this dreadful disease.

"Just knowing there are so many people on the other side of the world barracking for him has given us all an enormous amount of strength to carry on.

"Although this recent drug has made Greg very sick, he has chosen to carry on with it as, at this stage, it seems to be doing the cancer some damage.

"Just like the tenacious and brave spirit Greg showed on the footy field in giving the opposing team a run for their money all those years ago, he is showing the same tenacity and spirit fighting this horrid disease.

"Once again thank you all so very much for the wonderful support given to Greg, it is very much appreciated."

The Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation are assisting in the collection of donations.

Visit justgiving.com/Greg-mackey7 or text 70070 with the message Ausi52 £5 to donate £5.