Daughter of Leeds United fan with terminal cancer stunned by support to get dad to Elland Road one last time

The daughter of a Leeds United fan with terminal cancer has been stunned by the support of fans who have shared her appeal to get him to Elland Road one last time.
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Lifelong Leeds fan Mark White 60, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August 2020.

After going through chemotherapy and surgery to have 75 per cent of his stomach removed, Mark got the devastating news that the cancer was terminal this January.

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His heartbroken family have signed up for tickets to the last game of the season at Elland Road, but are yet to hear whether they have bagged the tickets.

Mark White, 60, with his daughter Tanya GibbonsMark White, 60, with his daughter Tanya Gibbons
Mark White, 60, with his daughter Tanya Gibbons

After posting her dad's story on social media, Mark's daughter Tanya Gibbons has been stunned by the support of Leeds fans - who have offered up their own tickets to the game.

They are waiting to hear back from the club about whether Mark can attend the match against West Brom on May 23.

Tanya, 30, told the Yorkshire Evening post: "Leeds United is his absolute world. He used to take me to Elland Road on a minibus when I was growing up.

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"I've been offered tickets by people we don't even know, we were just trying to reach out to the club.

Mark's family want to get him to Elland Road one last timeMark's family want to get him to Elland Road one last time
Mark's family want to get him to Elland Road one last time

"We thought a few people might share it, but we've had an amazing response. The kindness of strangers is so overwhelming."

Tragically, Mark's health is now starting to deteriorate and his family are devastated; they had hoped he would be able to attend the wedding of Tanya's sister this summer.

Tanya is now caring for her dad, while juggling a full time job and being a mum to her 10-year-old daughter.

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She added: "He's getting worse, he's getting more tired. But Leeds is his life and he's even picked out his gravestone with the club on it.

"I just want him at Elland Road, he calls it home. That team is a family team. He's drilled it into us since we were so young to support them, he's followed them all over the world.

"His love for that team is amazing."

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