Declan Rice, former West Ham captain, made a substantial donation to one of the club’s academy stars who is facing a rare form of brain cancer.

Oscar Fairs, a 14-year-old goalkeeper with West Ham United, was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumor in August 2023. He has since had seven surgeries, as well as one round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Fairs has been accepted into a medulloblastoma European multitarget metronomic antiangiogenic (MEMMAT) trial in Lille. His family hopes to fund £100,000 for the treatment.

Rice has made a significant contribution towards this goal, donating £5,000 to Fairs.

Rice, like Fairs, came through West Ham’s system, but joined the club later after being released by Chelsea as a youngster.

Declan Rice, former West Ham captain, has made a donation to an academy star battling illness.

West Ham goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, 14, (pictured) was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year

He has undergone seven operations, and Rice has now given a £5,000 donation to enable him obtain further treatment in Lille, France.

He made his senior debut in 2017 and led the team to Europa Conference League triumph last year.

Just weeks after his success, he departed the club to join Arsenal for a club record cost of £105 million.

Some supporters booed him when he returned to the London Stadium last season, but he scored a fantastic goal in Arsenal’s 6-0 victory. He refused to celebrate the goal out of respect for his former club.

Despite the boos, West Ham still appears to hold a particular place in Rice’s heart, as the Arsenal midfielder made a heartfelt donation in the hopes of assisting one of their youth players in their fight against cancer.

Fairs has also received donations from West Ham co-owner David Sullivan (£10,000), former West Ham player Robert Snodgrass (£1,000), and current Irons defender Kortney Hause (£500).

Rice joined Arsenal last year, but West Ham continue to hold a particular place in his heart.

Natalie, Fairs’ mother, praised Rice & Co. for their generous contributions to her son’s treatment fund.

“I can’t find words big enough or strong enough to reflect people’s huge generosity,” she told the Essex Echo.

‘Seeing the figures is such an overwhelming experience. Our children represent our future.

‘People we don’t know, strangers, are providing essential monies to help us. With lumps in my throat and tears in my eyes, I can’t thank them enough for supporting my baby.