'We are all right behind you': Juan Mata's message to Carlisle toddler battling cancer for third time

Manchester United star Juan Mata García has sent a message to a two-year-old boy from Carlisle who is battling leukaemia for the third time.

The parents of a Stanley were told in June that their son's cancer - T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - had returned and there was nothing that could be done.

A fundraising page has generated more than £300,000 to send the family to Singapore for a medical trial that could potentially save his life. They would have to move there for a year and the treatment alone would cost half a million pounds.

Over the last few weeks, the Save our Stan appeal has attracted a lot of celebrity attention - the latest being the Spanish midfielder Juan Mata who sent the family a recorded message.

Juan said: "I wanted to say on my behalf, and on behalf of my team mates and my club Manchester United, we are all right behind you.

"We would like to encourage people to help you so you can get your treatment and you get well real soon. All the best. All my strength and all my positivity. Take care my friend."

  • Stanley's story.