THE local football fraternity has been urged to join forces to support a special charity appeal, WRITES GARETH FULLERTON.
It is hoped that vital funds can be raised to help Belfast boy Oscar Knox who suffers from high risk neuroblastoma – an extremely rare and aggressive childhood cancer which effects one in every 100,000 children.
Donegal Celtic Football Club are spearheading the appeal, and this season the West Belfast club will have the ‘Oscar Knox Appeal’ emblazened on their shirts.
“For the foreseeable future we will have the ‘Oscar Knox Appeal’ on our shirts to raise awareness,” explained DC secretary Campbell Scott.
“Also at every away game we will hand out collection buckets and try and raise some money for the appeal.
“Our Friday night game against Linfield on August 24, both clubs will be wearing special fundraising t-shirts which are on sale for £10 each. Linfield have bought theirs and we have bought ours.
“We also hope Oscar is well enough to come along to the game and meet the two teams. He has a very rare form of leukemia, and the only two places he can receive the specialist treatment is America and Germany.
“Unfortunately on return to the UK there is no back-up treatment, so everything has to be done at the one time.”
Little Oscar has received widespread support, including from Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes who has dedicated his gold medal quest to the three-year-old.
“Oscar has received a lot of support on Twitter, with Paddy Barnes sending him Tweets,” Campbell added.
“Oscar needs around £250,000 for the treatment, which in this economic climate is not to be sneezed at.
“We just want to try and raise as much as we can. All the clubs will support the appeal and hopefully we can help as much as we can.”
Anyone looking to donate money to the appeal should go to Oscar’s website at http://www.oscarknox.blogspot.com
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