Manchester City and Lawson back Stephen Sutton bid
Premier League giants Manchester City and pop rock band Lawson are the latest to have given their support to inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton's fundraising appeal.
The 19 year-old cancer sufferer from Burntwood has helped smash the £3 million barrier in his bid to raise cash for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
He has received the backing of scores of celebrities including comedian and City fan Jason Manford, with his club agreeing to donate proceeds from their under 21 Premier League semi-final with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow (thurs) in support of the campaign.
It comes as proceeds from the Lawson gig in Burnley on Sunday is also going to be donated to the appeal.
Manford, who performed a sold-out gig for the Teenage Cancer Trust in Birmingham last weekend, said: "There are two things I am passionate about: Manchester City and the Teenage Cancer Trust. "The fact I've managed to get them together is a huge honour for me and would not have been possible without the sterling, inspiring words of Stephen Sutton.
"Manchester City have always been a club that has cared about it's community and our recent success hasn't changed that.
"The Teenage Cancer Trust has two wards in Manchester so it seems to make perfect sense for these two champions of their respective fields to come together and help make the lives of young people living with cancer slightly more bearable. I am proud to say I am a huge fan of both."
Video footage from Jason Manford's gig:
Other events being held in the Midlands to raise funds for the cause include a charity match between Shire Oak Saints under 18s and Shire Oak veterans on Sunday. It takes place at Walsall Wood FC, Lichfield Road, from 3pm and tickets are £2 for adults and £1 for children.
The Mentallica tribute band are also performing at Tackeroo in Bracken Close, Hednesford, on Saturday night. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are £5 on the door.
Stephen has captured the hearts of millions of people throughout the world with his inspirational fight against the disease.
The teenager is in hospital after his condition deteriorated but he has shown improvements after coughing up a tumour.
He inspired the world when on Tuesday last week he posted what he thought would be his final blog entry on Facebook from his hospital bed.
It sparked a massive appeal with thousands of well wishers in a show of support donating money to help young cancer patients.
Stephen had initially set out to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust and created a bucket list of 46 things to do before he died.
