Soccer-Leeds unite to fund 5-year-old fan’s cancer treatment

Jan 18 (Reuters) – Leeds United players and fans have come together to raise funds for a young supporter’s cancer treatment, the club said on Thursday.

Five-year-old Toby Nye, who is battling neuroblastoma, will start treatment next week after donations from Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani, players, staff and supporters raised around £175,000 ($242,830.00).

The final £25,000 needed for the treatment was donated by Spanish Championship side (tier two) midfielder Samuel Saiz this week.

“We talk a lot about family and togetherness at our club, it’s a culture we’re determined to restore for everyone involved in Leeds and raising this money has really been a team effort,” said the Leeds managing director, Angus Kinnear.

“Our staff, players, corporate partners and supporters have come together to give Toby the best possible opportunity with further treatment and I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved.”

The club invited Toby to take part in Saturday’s match against Millwall at Elland Road.

Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery, who died aged six last July, also suffered from a rare form of cancer which spreads rapidly throughout the body. He became known nationally because he accompanied the team onto the pitch before matches.

He was often in the arms of England international striker Jermain Defoe, who described the child as his best friend.

($1 = £0.7207) (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru Editing by Pritha Sarkar)