Why a Northern Irish teacher is cycling to every Premier League ground this Easter

A teacher from Northern Ireland is set to cycle 1,400 miles over Easter to visit every Premier League ground to raise funds for brave Oscar Knox.

By Declan Whooley

Many of you will have heard of Oscar, or Wee Oscar as he has affectionately been called, since the Belfast youngster has begun his battle against a rare form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma.

This week the youngster is undergoing scans to find out if the cancer is still detectable in his system, and many have helped to raise awareness about the boy’s condition, including Olympian Paddy Barnes.

School teacher Shaun O’Neill is another doing his bit. He will start bright and early Saturday morning on a 1,400 mile journey that will begin in Newcastle and end his epic journey at Carrow Road.

“I start in Newcastle tomorrow morning at about 7.30am ... Once it's done, I'll get the train back up,” he told UTV.

The teacher revealed that the inspiration came from a friend of his who travelled around seven European football stadiums in seven days with a Wee Oscar flag.

“I thought we could keep using football to try to capture people's imaginations and my idea is that I'll take the flag to all the stadiums and get a picture pitch-side to raise awareness,” he said.

Late last year, a gruelling trip to the USA - where Oscar could have received potentially life-saving treatment - ended in disappointment, when he suffered health complications.

But efforts to help with the cost of medical bills and to raise awareness of the Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Alliance are ongoing - complete with the backing of a host of celebrities.

This should help both awareness and funds, and we wish both Oscar and Shaun all the best.