‘Fantastic’: Newcastle United owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi praises fundraising fan

Newcastle United owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has issued a rallying message of support to a kind-hearted fan who is raising money for the Mental Health Foundation.

Katie Metcalf is covering 1,000 miles in seven months to raise money for the charity close to her heart.

Katie has openly shared her struggles mental health and anxiety, which has fuelled her determination to raise funds for the charity whose mission is prevention.

The Newcastle fan started the challenge at the beginning of 2022 and received a huge boost early on from Ghodoussi.

The new club owner donated £100 to the fundraiser’s Just Giving page, helping smash the initial target of £150 target.

Katie has now raised £860 with donations still climbing.

Already 500 miles in, on Tuesday the fundraiser received another boost from the Newcastle owner.

Replying to a DM, Ghodoussi wrote: "Fantastic!!! Keep it up. You're doing a tremendous job."

Katie said receiving the support "meant the world" as she shared the image online.

Speaking to NewcastleWorld earlier this year, after the owner's first donation, Katie said: "I received an email notification from Just Giving last night to say a new donation had come in.

"I took a look and saw the donation had come from 'Mehrdad'.

"I couldn’t believe it at first, but he replied to my tweet thanking him too, to wish me luck.

"I was absolutely over the moon. The new owners of Newcastle are such lovely people.

"To receive such a generous donation means the world to me, and will definitely spur me on to finish this challenge."