Rochdale AFC fans encouraged to wear Christmas fancy dress to next away game to raise money for Rio's cancer treatment

Rochdale AFC fans are encouraged to wear Christmas fancy dress to the Bradford City away fixture on 17 December to raise money for a little boy with kidney cancer.

Four-year-old Rio is the son of Rochdale’s current goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell’s best friend, Tommy Spurr, who used to play for Blackburn Rovers.

Rio was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour, a form of kidney cancer in children. Around 80 children in the UK are diagnosed every year.

The condition is usually treatable, however after surgery to remove the tumour and his right kidney, Rio’s family was told he was amongst the small percentage of children classed as high-risk.

In the last six months, he has undergone ten consecutive days of radiotherapy and another 45 days of chemotherapy. He faces further treatment next year.

His family have been finding ways to fundraise for treatment abroad as the toddler has a 50% chance of the cancer returning and being incurable on the NHS.

Rochdale fans have chosen the upcoming fixture to wear Christmas fancy dress to help raise money for Rio and bucket collections are expected on the day.

A ‘wear your football shirt’ to work day at Gleeson Homes in Rochdale on Rio's birthday in November raised over £260 towards the funds, whilst a raffle of O’Donnell’s shirt raised £150.

An auction of Sam Graham’s shirt raised a further £85 towards the cause.

Leanne Connolly, a Rochdale #HerGameToo advocate, said: “Richard recently brought the heart-breaking story of Rio to our attention. We are encouraging all Rochdale fans to wear fancy dress or even just a Christmas jumper or hat on the day, and possibly ask for sponsors for this.

“All proceeds will be going towards funds for Rio’s treatment.

“Fellow Rochdale fan Dan Ingham has created our own GoFundMe and will be making up the difference for the percentage GoFundMe takes and we will be giving the money directly to Rio’s family.”

Donations can be made via GoFundMe:

• www.gofundme.com/f/allforrio