Change language
Actions
Displays
Remove from selection
Add to selection
Abstract

Young footballers have raised more than £6,000 in two months for a boy diagnosed with one of the world’s rarest forms of leukaemia.

The heartwarming effort in support of Tony Clark, 11, who is facing at least three years of chemotherapy, reached a new milestone on Sunday when a football tournament brought in £1,250.

Tony, who plays for Isledon Wolves in Camden and Islington Youth Football League at Market Road, suffers from an aggressive form of acute L leukaemia.

Teammates and rivals alike have rallied round him to raise thousands for his family’s travel to and from hospital, and potentially the cost of future treatment.

Clubs have taken part in a penalty shoot-out competition over the past few weeks, with Highbury Wolves raising £1,900, Athletico DFZ £210 and Stoke Newington FC collecting £300. Highbury Wolves raised £1,005 from the raffle of a framed Arsenal shirt and on Sunday a tournament organised by Carlos Casimiro and Mani Pazo, from Cally Stars FC, brought in £1,250.

The league donated £1,000 from club fines. It will also be donating all fines between January and May. Other clubs contributed to a Just Giving website, which raised more than £9,000.

Tony was back at Market Road on Sunday to present the trophy to winning side Cally Stars, who beat CM Futsal 2-1 in the final of the under-8s tournament.

His father Anthony said: “As Tony’s parents, it’s been amazing to see the support we’ve had. It shocked Tony when he came back to the pitch the first time [since he was diagnosed]. He didn’t realise there was a big banner up with his name on it.”

Tony hopes to be well enough to stay with his parents over Christmas, before going back to hospital on January 3 for an intensive, four-week chemotherapy treatment.

League secretary Karen Greene said: “To raise over £6,000 over two months is incredible. We will continue to raise money for the fund.”

GLL, which runs the pitches, gave the use of them for free for the penalty shoot-outs and Little Tony Tournament. London Trophy Company, in Holloway Road, gave medals and cups for free and donated £50.