Four-year-old cancer sufferer Josh McCormack meets the Dale team

Dale midfielder Matty Lund with Josh McCormack and his mum, Nicola McCormack, at Rochdale AFC

Dale fan Josh McCormack and his mum, Nicola McCormack, spent the afternoon at Spotland today (Monday 1 February), meeting manager Keith Hill, assistant manager Chris Beech and the entire first team squad.

Four-year-old Josh has an extremely rare brain tumour which only affects 66 people in the world.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100524/fundraising-continues-for-fouryearold-josh-mccormack

Josh started chemotherapy soon after his diagnosis late last year and is currently on a break from the treatment, which will start again on 14 March.

Everyone at the club has been extremely touched by Josh’s illness and have been keen to offer support in any small way.

After discovering that Josh’s family and friends are trying to raise money to help with his rehabilitation, Dale midfielder Matty Lund was quick to rally the troops in a bid to support the fundraiser.

The first-team players, the management, the board of drectors and the Andrew Kelly Foundation presented a cheque for £4,000 to Josh’s mum during their visit to Spotland.

Matty Lund commented: “I read up on Josh and the treatment he was having and I felt for the little lad.

“It’s a horrible situation for him and his family and it touched something inside me.

“I felt like he needed some help and I knew the lads would be willing to help. Everyone at the club – the players, the staff and the directors have all donated money, which is fantastic.

“Josh has just come into the club to see us after having been through his treatment just a couple of weeks ago and it must be really hard for him.

“It was a pleasure to meet him and I’m just happy we’ve managed to get some money together to help out.”

Josh has an open invitation to lead the teams out onto the pitch as mascot when he’s feeling better.

Josh’s family and friends had been due to hold a bucket collection at Dale’s postponed Fleetwood Town game last month.

The bucket collection has been rescheduled and will now take place at Dale’s League One fixture v Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday 16 February, for those who would like to donate.