Football lover James Johnson lived his dream by walking out alongside Liverpool Football Club captain, Virgil Van Dijk, in their fixture against Tottenham Hotspur
The 11-year-old from Wigan also had the opportunity to play football with the Dutch International making it a ‘dream come true’ as well as meeting Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp.
James’s older brother Jack, 15, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a serious muscle-weakening condition that is lifelong and currently does not have a cure.
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This has had a negative impact on James as his younger brother, however Derain House Children Hospice has been supporting both Jack with hydrotherapy and James through counseling and emotional support.
The opportunity was made for James by Liverpool Football Club and The Lancashire Football Association to give a lifelong Liverpool fan a chance to meet his hero.
James spoke on the experience, he said: “I met my hero and it was amazing! It was something I will remember forever!”
Alex Johnson, James and Jack's mum, said: “James loved every minute of it! Virgil Van Dijk is his hero. It was the most amazing opportunity, I started crying!
“It was so nice to see because James had had a rough few months and now, he has been able to live his dream.”
The mother of two continued: “James receives divulging counseling at Derain and he loves hanging out with his counselor, even for a McDonalds!”
Derian House, based in Chorley, cares for more than 400 babies, young people, and their families across the North West and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Andrea Fontaine-Smith, the sibling support worker at Derian House, said: “Siblings are a huge part of the care we provide for families at the hospice as we realize the challenges they can face.
“Without realizing, our siblings are often an essential part of keeping family life running, so it is well deserved that they are celebrated.”
Simon Gerrard, CEO of the Lancashire Football Association, said: “We were pleased to connect Liverpool FC with the Sibling Support team at Derian House. They provided a memorable experience for James and his family and it proved to be one small reminder of just how powerful football can be in making a difference in people’s lives.”
It will cost Derian House £6 million to keep services running in 2023. If you would like to donate and help assist Derian, you can find out more on http://www.derianhouse.co.uk/.
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