Spurs and England star Harry Winks sends message to young Telford player Lauren as she battle cancer
England footballer Harry Winks has sent his best wishes to a young AFC Telford United player who is battling cancer.
Lauren Fishman, from Bratton in Telford, was earlier this year diagnosed with bone cancer.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks took to Twitter send the U16s player a message.
He said: “Would like to wish Lauren Fishman all the best with her treatment and let her know she is in my thoughts.”
A host of Telford and football fans in general replied to Winks’ tweet with praise for the 21-year-old.
Telford fan Andrew Davies was among them. He said: “Harry that’s such a nice thing to do.
“I’m not a Spurs fan but they should be proud to have such a decent young man in their squad.”
Jack Fishman added: “Thanks Harry, Lauren really appreciates all the support you’re giving her.
“Thanks for everything you and Spurs are doing for not only Lauren but Teenage Cancer Trust.”
Winks tagged the AFC Telford United Girls account in his message, which replied saying: “What a lovely guy, I will pass this on now. Thank you so much.”
The message has been retweeted more than 70 times and received well over 800 likes from people around the world.
It comes after AFC Telford United hosted a charity football tournament following Lauren’s diagnosis.
In October, the club said it was saddened to hear the news and arranged the competition which took place at the New Bucks Head.
AFC Telford United U16s, Burton Albion U16s and Shrewsbury Juniors U16s all took part in the event, which helped raise more than £2,100 for the Teenage Cancer Trust and the oncology ward at Princess Royal Hospital – both causes that had been chosen by 15-year-old Lauren.
More than 200 people turned up at the tournament on Sunday to show their support for the Thomas Telford School pupil.
Funds were raised through donations and sales of cakes and other refreshments.
Winks broke into the Tottenham side last season before making his England debut in October in England’s 1-0 away win over Lithuania, which was the team’s final match in their successful 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Last month, a Shropshire goalkeeper and football coach announced he will be raising money in honour of Lauren.
For every clean sheet Chris Field keeps while in goal for Oakengates Rangers, he will donate £10 to charities.
Chris, 23, a PE teacher at Colton Hills Community School in Wolverhampton, coaches the under-14 boys team at AFC Telford and taught Lauren during his time at Thomas Telford school. To raise more money for the two charities, he will be wearing personalised gloves, by AK Keeping, and for every clean sheet or penalty save that he or the team make, a £10 donation will be made to the fund.
He said: “I’m so happy that my team mates have also pledged to donate similar figures, meaning that we should be raising a fantastic amount for each clean sheet or penalty save. My dad is the head of youth play at AFC Telford so I tend to shadow him around a lot and my sister plays on the girl’s side. I taught Lauren and her older brother Jack last year at Thomas Telford. So when it came up I wanted to see what I can do to help.”
