THE football world has united to show the strong support for a Tynedale teenager fighting an inoperable brain tumour.

Pledges of support for football mad Rhya Story (14), of Greenhead, who is currently being treated in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, have come from Italian giants AC Milan and teams in America, as well as from former Newcastle United and England legends Alan Shearer and Paul Gascoigne.

The messages have come via an online campaign on both Facebook and Twitter, #Heart4Rhya, which has been created to ask football teams to submit team photos with players making hearts with their hands, a celebration popular among professional footballers.

And the support has been overwhelming since it went live on Monday evening, close to 8,000 people liking the Facebook page by the time of going to print.

The campaign started when teammates at Northumberland Girls League side Haltwhistle lined up for a team photo and made the heart symbol to show Haydon Bridge High School pupil Rhya they were firmly behind her during her illness.

From there, Kirsty Hutton, who works with Rhya‘s mother Catherine at Mrs Miggins Tea Room in Hexham, asked her father if the team he runs, Ryton and Crawcrook U16, could do the same.

Soon, she realised there was a lot of interest from clubs throughout the region wanting to submit photographs, and the Facebook page was created to host the pictures.

Little did Kirsty know that the campaign would take off as spectacularly as it did, seven-time European champions Milan vowing to take a team photo and even donate shirts to the cause.

The campaign has reached the United States too with former Prudhoe resident Rhiannon Castle featuring in the Western Nebraska Community College Women’s team which has sent an image.

Hundreds of teams across the UK have also been in contact to say they will also submit pictures from their upcoming games this weekend.

Kirsty said: “Haltwhistle United put a team photograph with the heart symbol on Facebook, which I thought was a really nice touch.

”I asked the Ryton lads if they would like to do it, and then there were teams from Winlaton wanting to get involved too.

“So I set up the Facebook page Heart4Rhya and emailed the Pin Point Junior Football League in which Haltwhistle Girls play to ask if they would be willing to do team photographs too.

”I thought the campaign might get interest from North-East teams, but never did I think it would beyond like it has.

“I think the support shows that football is like one massive family and they all stick together, and it is touching that so many teams are showing their support and helping Rhya fight the battle.

”The aim of the campaign was to put a smile on her face, and I know for a matter of fact that it has done that.“

The strength of support has touched friends and family of Manchester United fan Rhya, and they said they were extremely thankful to teams for taking the time to get in touch.

The numerous messages received the thumbs up from Rhya herself from her hospital bed, and they are helping her through an extremely tough time.

Kirsty said: ”Rhya and her family come into the tea room quite often, and she is always a bubbly person who is kind and caring.

“She is very bouncy and always has to be doing something. She‘s amazing really, and a lovely person to know.

”She is a fighter, like her mam, and it is really nice that so many people are showing their support.“

Rhya has been a big miss at Haltwhistle United, who trained on Tuesday evening, as she has been a key member of the team since it was formed in 2012.

Never one to miss a game or even a training session, Rhya is very popular among her teammates and a great leader on the pitch.

The team, along with coaches Nigel Shollick and Ruth Elliott, say they are all praying Rhya pulls through and will support her in any way they can.

Nigel and Ruth said: “A close camaraderie was apparent between the whole team from the very beginning and they continue to support each other closely through each passing season.

”While they were a relatively new team to the league, and inexperienced, it was apparent and commented on by many of the coaches that we encountered that what they lacked in technical skills they more than made up for in team work, supporting each other and enjoying playing the game.

“The girls love everything about the game and Rhya in particular never wants training or the matches to end, showing great potential in every position she plays in.

”It is obvious to anyone who meets her that football is her passion and she strives to improve with every season.

“Lively and always vocal, she contributes much to each match or training session, and is very much at the heart of Haltwhistle United Girls FC.“

Pupils at Haydon Bridge have also shown their support by holding a non-uniform day for Rhya, with more than £600 raised for a charity nominated by Rhya‘s family.

Acting headteacher Helen McCormick said: “All members of our school community were shocked and sad to hear that Rhya had been admitted to hospital.

”A group of students who are particular friends of Rhya asked for the opportunity to raise money for charity and enable all students to write messages of support for Rhya. 

“We all send our thoughts and very best wishes to Rhya and her family.”

A fundraising coffee morning at the Masonic Hall, in Haltwhistle, will be held in Rhya‘s name on Saturday, October 17, at 10am, with all profits again going to a charity chosen by Rhya’s family.