Charity footy match aims to send youngster with leukaemia to Disneyland
A FOOTBALL match will go ahead in July to raise funds for to get a fouryear-old who is facing a gruelling battle with a never before seen cancer to Disneyland.
Arthur Salters-hoult, of Wallsend, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia earlier this year but blood tests revealed a chromosome mutation never seen before anywhere in the world. His health took a rapid decline for the worst earlier this month when he suffered sepsis, but the brave four-year-old pulled through.
The young football fan has been cheering on his beloved Newcastle United from his hospital bed and his family were delighted when Bruno Guimaraes dedicated his goal in the win at Brighton to Arthur. He has also been supported by Blyth Spartans, and this summer a charity match between Newcastle and Sunderland fans at a Gateshead pub will attempt to raise cash towards a trip to Disneyland for his family.
The match will be held on July 8 at the Fiddlers Three Pub in Heworth, Gateshead and is organised by leukaemia survivor Chrissy Quigley.
Chrissy, now 38, has hosted these ‘derbies’ since 2013 with all money raised split between the cancer ward at the Great North Children’s Hospital and a local child with leukaemia with previous beneficiaries including Bradley Lowery. Factory worker Chrissy told Chroniclelive: “I was on the wards when I was a child and I’ve seen what the families go through, it’s horrendous. They saved my life so this is my way of giving back.
“When I saw Arthur in the paper, I thought I’d contact his family and see if they wanted help. They were happy with it so now we’re going to
try and help him get to Disneyland.”
Chrissy hopes to raise between £2,000 and £3,000 from the day, which will see him donning the famous black and white and pushing for a Toon win – just as Arthur has been doing from his bed in recent weeks. As well as the match, there’ll be plenty for the family, including a DJ, singer, food stalls, face painters and Disney characters.
Chrissy finished: “It’s a family thing, I try to cater for everybody. A lot of people don’t like football so we’re getting in some Disney characters
I was on the wards when I was a child. They saved my life so this is my way of giving back. Chrissy Quigley
for the kids, trying to pull in the crowd!”
Arthur remains at the Great North Children’s Hospital at the RVI and is having to undergo the most intensive form of chemotherapy. He may need a bone marrow transplant in the future, but at the moment it is
too early to tell.
Nevertheless, his parents Ricky and Helen have encouraged people to sign up to the stem cell donors list.
For more information, visit anthonynolan.org or dkms.org.uk.