Newcastle United fans are calling to #stopthe banner ahead of Saturday's planned flyover at the Stadium of Light
Organisers of the NUFC banner flyover at the Stadium of Light have said that they will not hal their plans despite the growing opposition.
Facing the backlash and threatening messages, organiser Darren Curry has said that the banner flyover will still go ahead.
Some of the Newcastle United fans have taken to social media to voice their unhappiness at the stunt which was originally planned as a dig at SAFC fans before being turned into a charity fundraiser.
The stunt was planned after Sunderland were relegated and Newcastle United were promoted, a switch over from 12 months ago when Black Cat's fans hired a banner to flyover St James' Park which read "Auf Wiedersehn Prem"
Supporters group Wor Hyem 1892 tweeted to say: "Using cancer to justify having a dig at Sunderland is abhorrent and we are totally against it. #stopthebanner."
The fan group Gallowgate Flag added: "As funny as Sunderland's relegation is, mentioning 'cancer' in the same message is wrong and the banner should be stopped #stopthebanner."
After putting a selection of phrases to a public vote on Facebok, Darren has said the phrase: "UNITED BY CANCER, DIVIDED BY LEAGUES" will be flown over the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
The message is in support of Bradley Lowery, five, Hope Feeney, five, and Frankie Sherwood, three, all of whom are battling childhood cancer neuroblastoma.
Other options had included BL HF FS CANCER HAS NO COLOURS; SMB ENJOY THE CHAMPIONSHIP WE DID and KARMAS A BITCH ENJOY BURTON LALAS.
Organiser Darren said: "It's not getting stopped. People had options, they could've voted, there were 14,000 votes on Facebook."
He revealed that he has been sent dozens of threatening messages over the idea but said he is still happy with the plan.
He said: "I don't care what anybody thinks, I don't see how it's offensive at all. If the families are happy then I am happy."
Frankies mum, Hailey Laidler said she loved the idea of the banner: "I think it is brilliant.
"It is nice to know that Frankie is in people's thoughts."
"I just can't thank everyone enough for thier support."
More than £5,000 has been raised so far and after £960 has been taken to pay for the flight the rest of the cash will be split between fundraising appeals for the three kids.