NORWICH City Football Club will welcome young Norfolk charity fundraisers Ellie Shaul and Jack Long as their Kare Plus Community Heroes for Saturday’s game at home to Rotherham United (3pm).

Canary fans Ellie, 17, and Jack, 15, have raised more than £6,200 for charities close to their hearts by organising a football match alongside other fundraising activities.

Ellie chose to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust and the Brain Tumour Charity as she was diagnosed in November 2014 with a Craniopharyngioma brain tumour.

She was sent to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where the tumour was successfully removed. However, because of how the tumour was positioned, Ellie was left with a number of complications including being partially sighted and Type 2 diabetes.

"My charities mean a lot to me as the Sick Children’s Trust helped me and my family out a lot when I was in hospital," Ellie told canaries.co.uk.

"The Brain Tumour Charity also means a lot to me as I get to hear about lots of other people in similar situations to the one I was in. I’m hoping more people will start supporting charities like these more, as they do not get enough recognition for the amazing work they do.

"I was very excited when I found out myself and Jack were going to be Community Heroes for the game against Rotherham."

Meanwhile, Jack’s fundraising efforts were made to help the Teenage Cancer Trust charity and Jenny Lind Ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

In December 2015, Jack was admitted to the NNUH but was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Jack is recovering from chemotherapy and is slowly regaining strength and has started easing himself into football again.

"The Teenage Cancer Trust at Addenbrookes provided emotional support and facilities to make life as comfortable and normal as possible when it’s turned upside down,” the City season ticket holder explained.

"The money raised for Jenny Lind will be used to provide entertainment facilities to make children’s time spent in hospital as enjoyable as possible. It’s an honour to be chosen as a Community Hero as I have grown up supporting Norwich, ever since I can remember.

"I don’t look on it as having done anything special, I just think of it as giving something back to those that have supported me and my family. If people don’t give back, the support won’t be there in the future for those who need it."

At every Sky Bet Championship home match, the Canaries will invite a deserving community-minded individual or individuals to be their Kare Plus Community Hero and place the matchball on a special plinth prior to kick-off.

Whether the individual works in the emergency services or the armed forces, is a carer or charity champion, a super fan or a regional sporting hero, the initiative celebrates their contribution to the local community.

If there is anyone you think deserves special recognition for their community efforts or personal achievements, please contact the Club via communityhero@canaries.co.uk.

CITY v ROTHERHAM: COMMUNITY HERO

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