Rochdale midfielder Peter Vincenti has scooped the Football League's inaugural Unsung Hero of the Month award for his off-the-field work involving young adults with cancer.
The 29-year-old's selfless contributions have been acknowledged following his involvement with Edgar's Gift - a charity which has touched his heart in recent years.
It was set up in the memory of Ben Edkins, who passed away at the age of 25 following a battle with rhabdomyosarcoma - an aggressive form of muscle cancer.
During his time with Aldershot Town, Vincenti sent a signed shirt and football to Ben's parents Julie and Neil Bradford upon request and has since been named as a patron for the charity for his continued involvement.
"They do all sorts for young adults suffering from cancer. Special days out, luxury gifts such as an iPad or a PlayStation for those who are going through it," said Vincenti, who left Aldershot for the Dale in 2013. "They raise money where they can. They did a cycle to all 92 Premier and Football League grounds in the country a couple of years ago
"They are the ones who do so much. It wasn't any bother for me to send them a signed shirt when I was at Aldershot, but then we got in touch with each other and it went from there.
"I sent them some more signed shirts, then a few Rochdale shirts when I moved here. And whenever we've played against bigger teams in pre-season or cup games I'll always try and get opposition shirts. The kit man here, Jack Northover, gives me grief because I'm always asking him to get me signed shirts from the opposing kit man to send to them."
Vincenti, who previously donated a pair of England tickets for a clash at Wembley, also holds a degree in Business Management. He signed a three-year extension with Rochdale recently.
Shane Callaghan
