Reading fans have dug into their pockets to help raise funds for popular supporter, John Lawrence's, funeral.
Mr Lawrence passed away on Saturday, June 10 after an 18 month battle with Oesophageal Cancer.
A long-time officer in the RAF, the Red Dwarf lover married his wife, Lauren, in 2020 but was diagnosed just 12 months later.
Battling hard with a smile and joke throughout, John gained many online friends and followers by documenting his journey on social media.
Posting his updates regularly on Twitter, John touched the lives of thousands of Royals without ever meeting many in real life.
Taken into the hearts of the club, he was often on BBC Radio Berkshire with Tim Dellor and former captains Ady Williams and Mick Gooding.
He was also invited to the training ground to meet manger Noel Hunt and the first-team squad last month.
Caz Prior, a good friend of John's, set up a Crowdfunding page to contribute towards funeral costs.
Setting the target at £1,500, more than £1,000 was raised in just 24 hours and the target his since been upped to £3,000.
Prior said: "I honestly can't believe that in less than 24 hours we have raised over £1000.
"This is going to mean so much to Lauren [John's wife]."
Speaking to the Reading Chronicle, John's mother-in-law said labelled him 'one in a million' and a 'shining star' before going on to thank everyone for their generosity.
"It's just amazing, the support for John and Lauren. People have been so generous and I think it just goes to show the love that everyone had for him. He was a wonderful guy. It goes beyond the bound really."
Click here to contribute to the Crowdfunding page.
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