Football fans nearly 200 miles away have raised more than £500 for terminally-ill toddler Tess Sullivan.
Oxford United fans were so touched by Tess’s story that they rallied round to organise a collection before their team’s home game against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Oxford fan David Cudd, 52, said: "I read about Tess on the Friday and I thought it would be a nice gesture to do a collection at the game.
"We only had a short time to arrange things, but Radio Oxford helped, by announcing our plan on their news bulletin on Saturday morning.
"We had four of us collecting money in buckets and raised £555. I’m pretty certain the figure will rise."
David and fellow Oxford fans Kevin Bourton and Matt Naish collected the cash, along with David’s children Tommy and Jenny
Thousands of fans outside the game dipped into their pockets to support Tess, three, who is one of 50 infants worldwide to have Alexander disease, a rare genetic degenerative disorder.
David said: "We’re totally gob-smacked we got anything at all. There were only a few of us collecting and we only decided to do it on Friday."
Tess’s mum Helen thanked David for his efforts.
She said: "To say we are touched is an understatement.
"Thanks to the kind actions of so many we are getting closer and closer to our target to take little Tess on a Disney cruise as soon as possible."
David said: "Helen contacted us and thanked us, saying that Oxford United would always have a place in her heart. That made it all worthwhile.
"To know that we’ve made a difference is amazing."
David and his family will be Accrington Stanley’s guests of honour at the return fixture in April.
David said: "There’s a lot of negativity around football supporters, so this shows what a good bunch of people we are."
People can donate in aid of Tess through the Paypal account 73HFRARXZJ3TG in the name of Helen Sullivan and the email address helensullivan@hotmail.
co.uk or by making cheques payable to Helen Sullivan C/O St Peter’s Primary School, St Peter’s Road, Newchurch, Lancashire.
