The Sun: Arsenal Star Rice Donates Pounds to Help West Ham’s Youngster Fight Brain Cancer

According to The Sun, Arsenal star Declan Rice donated £5,000 in a charity campaign on a platform called “GoFundMe,” aiming to help a 14-year-old rising star of West Ham United receive treatment for brain cancer.

Rice, who came through the ranks at West Ham United, made 245 appearances for the senior team before his transfer to Arsenal in July 2023.

Oscar Fairs, aged 14, has been a goalkeeper in West Ham United’s youth academy since he was 9 years old. However, in August 2023, this young talent was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumor. Since then, the young boy has undergone seven surgeries to remove parts of the cancerous tumor. Before falling ill, Fairs was a die-hard fan of West Ham United and a promising star in the youth academy, with a dream of becoming England’s number one goalkeeper in the future.

In addition to the seven surgeries, Fairs has also received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. His family found a treatment method called MEMMAT (anti-angiogenic therapy), which requires treatment at a medical facility in Lille, France. The total cost of the treatment and living expenses for the young man amounts to £100,000, hence the fundraising campaign.

To date, the campaign has raised £77,500, including £5,000 from Rice’s donation, and another £10,000 from West Ham United chairman David Sullivan.

Natalie, Fairs’ mother, said in an interview: “The cancer cells in the middle of Fairs’ brain have now spread, requiring six types of chemotherapy, four of which are oral, and the last two involve inserting catheters into the brain. This will cost more than £70,000. I need everyone to join me in saving my son’s life.”