NBA basketball Star Larry Nance Jr has donated £2,000 to help get a young Leeds United supporter home after the 13-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest while on holiday in Majorca.
Jack Caine, described by his family as a ‘massive Leeds United fan’, was out walking with his parents when he fell to the ground and had to be rushed to hospital on August 12.
The teenager has since been in an intensive care unit at the Son Espasse Hospital, and while his medical bills are covered, flying him home is set to cost over £30,000.
With the family’s travel insurance claim rejected due to Jack having a heart murmur, his dad Antony launched a fundraiser to get him back to the UK.
It raised over £30,000 in just 24 hours after being shared by Jack’s favourite football club. Among the hundreds of donors was Nance Jr, ITV News reports, one of the 49ers investment group who have recently taken over control of Leeds.
Jack Caine, described by his family as a ‘massive Leeds United fan’, suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this month in Majorca
Leeds United also donated towards the campaign to get Jack back to Alder Hey hospital in the UK.
Hundreds of well-wishers have so far donated to help get Jack home, with over £38,000 raised on his GoFundMe page so far.
Thanking those who donated, Jack’s dad said: ‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we are totally overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone.
‘Jack is improving day by day but is still a very poorly young boy and needs a couple of operations here before travelling. Thank you again for the kind words and donations.’
Shortly after he was struck down, Jack’s mum told the Blackpool Gazette about what happened on the awful day her son was taken ill.
Among the hundreds of donors was Nance Jr – one of the 49ers investment group who have recently taken over control of Leeds
‘We flew out to Majorca on August 11 and on the Saturday for our first full day Jack was in the pool with no problems.
‘We had some lunch and then we all went for a walk and Jack just slumped to the ground. Luckily people rushed from all over to help.
She said while he would always have to go for check ups as a baby at Alder Hey and his heart has never worked normally, it has ‘never stopped him doing anything’.
‘He is your typical teenager, a chatterbox and a big softie who is a massive Leeds United fan.’
Nance Jr, who currently represents the New Orleans Pelicans and previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers among other clubs, recently confirmed he was part of the group taking charge of Leeds.
The basketball star has won over Leeds fans already, posting ‘ALL LEEDS ARENT WE’ on X last month and sharing a snap of himself wearing a home shirt at Elland Road.
