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Stoke's James McClean shows his softer side as he funds trip to Disneyland for four-year-old twins who lost their father and former footballer Thomas Burke to a heart attack in April

Stoke midfielder James McClean has paid for two kids to enjoy a trip to Disneyland, after they lost their father in April.

Thomas Burke, an ex-footballer and coach at Trojans Football Club in Derry, Northern Ireland, tragically died of a heart attack two months ago at the age of 31 and McClean wanted to help twin four-year-olds Aoife and Adam, as well as mum Bronagh.

Bronagh had requested people send the kids as many birthday cards as possible, with her online appeal generating more than 3,000 cards, but 31-year-old McClean had a further surprise in store.