Millwall and West Ham fans have set aside their differences to pay tribute to a brave little girl, who sadly passed away, writes Joshua Askew…
Isla Caton’s parents have announced she sadly passed away this morning after courageously battling neuroblastoma.
The seven-year-old Hammers fan was well-loved for uniting West Ham and Millwall, who put aside their fierce rivalry to fundraise for the little girl’s treatment.
“It is with the heaviest of broken hearts that we must announce Isla gained her angel wings early hours of this morning, it was very peaceful and surrounded by the continued love of Nicola, Michael and Millie,” said Isla’s parents on Twitter.
“God bless our brave Isla.”
Both football clubs have celebrated Isla’s achievements and expressed their heartfelt condolences with the family.
“The hearts of everyone in the West Ham United family are broken this morning. Rest in peace brave, beautiful Isla, you were an inspiration to us all,” said West Ham FC.
Fans of the club have applauded Isla for uniting them with arch rivals Millwall, saying “she brought so many people together and gave us all inspiration and hope.”
“I won’t ever forget her.”
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“Cancer has no colours,” another fan added.
Born into a West Ham-supporting family in Hornchurch, Essex, Isla’s fight against the illness caught the imagination of the Claret and Blue Army, who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help fund her treatment, alongside with Millwall supporters.
Millwall FC seconded these comments.
“Everyone at Millwall sends theirs love to the Caton family at this incredibly sad time,” they announced in a Tweet.
“Rest in peace, Isla.”
And in response to flurry of requests from fans, Millwall FC have confirmed there will be a minute of applause during the seventh minute of their game against West Brom on Saturday.
Isla underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy and major surgeries to remove a tumour from her stomach, bone marrow aspiration, MIBG therapy, immunotherapy, blood transfusions and a stem cell transplant, all though which she retained an amazing positivity that inspired those around her.
Isla Caton is a little superhero who will and should go down in Millwall and West Ham history
Hornchurch is in London not Essex.