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Matic revealed as mystery donor who gave £63,000 towards young boy's cancer treatment

  /  autty

Manchester United star Nemanja Matic has been revealed as the mystery donor who gave £63,000 so a cancer-stricken boy could receive treatment.

Little Dusan Todorovic, who hails from Matic's native Serbia, has neuroblastoma, the same form of cancer that Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery battled.

There was a huge campaign in Serbia to raise money so the four-year-old could travel to Barcelona and receive the treatment that could save his life.

United midfielder Matic donated the money and wanted to remain anonymous, but Dusan's father disclosed the identity of who helped his son.

In all, almost £180,000 has been raised and Dusan is currently in Barcelona to begin treatment.

Serbian club Partizan Belgrade tweeted: 'Nearly €200,000 has been raised towards the treatment of ill four-year-old Partizan fan Dušan Todorovic.

'This total includes money raised from ticket sales for the FK Rad game and a Crvena Zvezda fan who auctioned his ticket for their Champions League matches. Well done all.'

Former Benfica and Chelsea player Matic has represented Serbia 45 times and it is not the first time he has helped out his countrymen with generous acts.

Matic grew up in the village of Vrelo - population 1,600 - in the west of the country and he has not forgotten his roots.

He often pays off the debts of local people at the village store and gave money for repairs to be made at the elementary school he attended.

The school principal Bosko Saric said: 'Nemanja funded the playground for the children and says he will continue in summer.

'He plans to bring mobile baskets, goals, and balls, as well as sports equipment.'

Bradley Lowery captured the heart of the nation and became close friends with striker Jermain Defoe before he passed away at the age of six in July last year.