Traditional rivals come together to help Isla

On Sunday 26th August at 3PM two rather unlikely teams will meet at Parkside in a charity extravaganza. On one side will be a collection of Geordies and Mackems, on the other a group of Irons and Lions, as Team North takes on Team South. And what has brought these traditional rivals together? A little girl from London, Isla Caton.

Isla suffers from neuroblastoma, the condition that afflicted Bradley Lowery. After Bradley lost his fight against the disease, supporters from Sunderland and Newcastle United set about organising a charity match to raise funds in his honour. They’d never met before, but were brought together by a wish to do something positive to help other children suffering from the condition. The Geordies therefore took on the Mackems in a seven-a-side match for the Bradley Lowery Trophy back in December, and raised over seven thousand pounds.

This money was then donated by the Bradley Lowery Foundation to their ‘Child of the Month’- and in December that happened to be Isla.

Geordies and Mackems have followed and supported Isla’s journey ever since, and after some of the supporters involved were recently invited to play against ex West Ham pros and other celebrities, decided that they wanted to get more involved in Isla’s fight. Accordingly Newcastle fan Gaz Horsley and West Ham United supporter Dylan Bregman put their heads together, and came up with the idea of bringing the Sunderland and Newcastle side together once more- this time to take on a team made up of supporters from traditional London foes West Ham United and Millwall. This time it will be eleven a side, and all players will wear neutral strips – because Cancer Has No Colours.

The organisers would like to thank Craig Johnson and Aveley FC, who have agreed to donate the use of pitch and facilities to help maximise the fundraising and make it a day to remember. They’d also like to thank a North East company, Trade Cars Newcastle from Brinkburn Street in Newcastle's East end, who have kindly stepped in provide kits to the North East side.

All proceeds raised will go towards getting Isla that little bit closer to America for the life saving treatment she desperately needs. A special programme will also be available to purchase- and if you can’t make it then you can still donate, by following this Just Giving link. They've already raised almost six thousand pounds, but they need much more.