Football fans put rivalry aside for charity walk

Newcastle fan Ricky Hoult and Sunderland fan Chris Johnson are raising money ahead of the Wear-Tyne derby

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, 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.

"It's been really, really difficult," said Mr Hoult. "We've been in hospital all the time."

"I can't imagine what it's like to go through this as a kid," said Mr Johnson, who is from Barnes, Sunderland.

"Anything me and Ricky can do to help Arthur and help other kids in that situation, that's what we're going to do."

Working together

The pair met on social media last year and decided that they wanted to raise money for Children with Cancer UK together.

"What better opportunity [to fundraise] than the Sunderland-Newcastle derby?" said Mr Johnson.

The duo set off at 09:00 GMT on Friday and made it to the Stadium of Light at 13:45 GMT.

Chris Johnson and Ricky Hoult outside the Stadium of Light at the end of their walk