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Football fans put rivalry aside for charity walk

Related Topics: Russell Hoult

Two fans of rival football teams have put grudges aside to raise money for charity ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby.

The pair, Sunderland fan Chris Johnson and Newcastle fan Ricky Hoult, walked from St James’ Park to the Stadium of Light on Friday to raise money for Children with Cancer UK.

The cause is close to the hearts of both men.

Mr Johnson was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) in 2019, whereas Mr Hoult’s five-year-old son Arthur was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia last year.

Arthur, 5, smiling
Arthur, five, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2023 and is currently receiving treatment

Arthur has a rare type of leukaemia which means that he has has not responded well to any treatment so far, said Mr Hoult, from Howdon, Wallsend.