A Norwich City fan running a half marathon for charity has been “overwhelmed” by the support of his fundraiser after it went viral online following online abuse.
Nathan West, of Earsham, near Bungay, was the victim of some hateful comments on Twitter after he gave an interview to the PinkUn ahead of Norwich’s victory against Millwall on Sunday, which has been seen more than 24 million times.
But the footballing community has rallied around the Norwich City season ticket holder, nicknamed Westy, following the hateful messages and his fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support is now sat at £36,000.
And in support of the ardent Canaries fan, Norwich FC forward Jonathon Rowe has said he will send him a signed shirt and a number of players have donated to his cause.
Wembley Stadium has also offered Mr West England tickets and the Canaries season ticket holder has been made ‘Community Hero’ by Norwich FC.
The support for Mr West saw BBC Radio Norfolk’s Chris Reeve call out on Twitter for his contact details and offer him a crate of beers.
Instead, Mr West asked that Mr Reeve should support the fundraiser he is doing in aid of Macmillan Cancer.
The link was then widely shared and the fundraiser now sits at £36,000.
Mr West, 31, said: “Chris Reeve said he owed me a crate of beers for me predicting Rowe to score as he had Rowe to score in a bet, I said no thanks to the beers and please donate to my fundraiser.
“He whacked his bet winnings in which was £60 to get me to £500 and shared the link and it’s gone mental.
“The abuse is just small-minded people, it doesn’t bother me, I’m just so happy that the football community has my back.”
Mr West said: “I’ve calmed down now, but yesterday I was so overwhelmed and couldn’t believe it really.
“I was only hoping for £500, which I thought would be achievable as I started the fundraiser in July and am doing the run in October, and it’s gone absolutely crazy.
“My grandad passed away when I was seven from cancer and my other nan had pancreas cancer a few years ago, so this charity meant the most to me.
“And so many people know somebody affected by cancer so it relates to so many people.”
He says he cannot wait to “smash” the half marathon in October and “make everyone proud”.
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