Michael Beale thanks 'incredible' Sunderland fans for 'emotional moment'
Michael Beale has thanked the ‘incredible’ Sunderland fans for the support shown to him and his niece Poppy.
Beale learned last week that his four-year-old niece Poppy was suffering with leukaemia for the second time in her short life.
During the fourth minute of the 3-1 home win over Plymouth, Sunderland supporters in the Stadium of Light held a minute’s applause to show their support – an action which clearly moved Beale on the touchline.
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“I've just got to say thank you to the fans for that,” Beale said when asked about the round of applause in the fourth minute. “It's incredible.
“Obviously, my little niece, Poppy, she's been going for it for a long time. She actually rung the bell, which is a massive milestone, not new year, but the new year before, and then it's come back.
“She had a bone marrow transplant, and we got some horrible news on Wednesday evening.
“[It’s] difficult to take, but the fans today… that's incredible. It was an emotional moment for me, and I just want to say thank you to everybody.”
Poppy’s mother, Beale’s sister-in-law, also expressed her thanks to Sunderland fans, saying the whole family was ‘touched’ by the gesture.
“We’ve just seen the response from all supporters at the game,” Poppy’s mother wrote. “We are so touched.
“Thank you all. It’s very touching to see you all behind us and behind Mike too. Lots of love, from all the family.”
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