"We are both Newcastle fans and Arthur loves the club and singing the songs. He has been watching all the matches from his hospital bed,” Ricky said.

"Because he loves soccer we are attempting to get as many groups as potential to be photographed with the Newcastle United shirt saying, 'You can beat this Arthur' to boost consciousness about bone marrow transplants.

He added: "Arthur is so courageous, brave, funny, loveable, clever and very inquisitive.

"He has proven us all superb power and lives every day to the complete and is able to tackle new challenges that current day by day given the character of his situation."