A 12-year-old boy whose devastating skin condition left him 'begging to die' managed to live out his dream of watching Manchester United thanks to life changing therapy. Morgan Bishop, 12, spent his younger years suffering from numerous conditions, including chronic eczema and nephrotic syndrome which left him bed bound and unable to walk.
Morgan was given a second chance at life after his parents Dana and Paul Bishop set up a GoFundMe page to send him to a world-renowned hydrotherapy skin centre in southern France back in 2016. The family managed to raise £40,000 and Morgan underwent water therapy that has since improved his health.
This year Morgan enjoyed his first live football match, watching his favourite team, Manchester United, beat Norwich. The little lad had 'the best day of his life', meeting players Jadon Sancho and Juan Mata and even being gifted goalkeeper David de Gea's football shirt at the end of the match.
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Morgan's mum, children's relaxation and well-being coach Dana, 43, who lives in Tadworth, Surrey, with her husband, personal trainer Paul, 50, Morgan and his brother Jenson, eight, said: "Being able to have this special day meant so much to all of us. Football is Morgan's passion and helps distract him from his sore skin.
"Manchester United hadn't had a very good season but we were very lucky as they won 3-2. Morgan was very excited as he witness Ronaldo scoring a hat trick! He met Jadon Sancho and Juan Mata after the match as well.
"He got to get photos with both of them and Sancho also signed the back of his and his brother's shirts. The whole day at Old Trafford was really special as Morgan spends a lot of time very itchy so it was amazing he was able to enjoy the day.
"He actually said it was the best day of his life!"
Match day was a long time coming for Morgan who had been left bed bound since he was a baby due to chronic eczema, a life threatening kidney condition called nephrotic syndrome, red skin syndrome and numerous severe allergies.
After spending the first five years of his childhood in agony and unable to walk, Morgan was given a second chance at life following water therapy in France thanks to £40,000 raised on GoFundMe. Despite still having to undergo monthly injections and blood tests, the little lad is fully embracing life and couldn't wait to finally see his favourite team play in person after watching games from his hospital bed.
Morgan had been gifted two tickets to see Manchester United play at Old Trafford through his Facebook page 'Morgan's Mission' where his mum Dana shares updates about her son's health. His grandfather, Steve Harwood, 62, who also supports Man United, bought two more tickets so that he, Morgan, his brother Jenson and his dad Paul could all watch the match together.
Attending the match on April 15, young Morgan sat directly behind the goal clutching a sign addressed to Man United's goalkeeper, David de Gea, that read 'De Gea, tu me inspiras [you inspire me] can I have your shirt please!'
An emotional video, filmed by mum Dana, shows Morgan jumping up and down with joy after De Gea spotted his sign, running over to him at the end of the game to gift him his top. Dana said: "I cannot describe the pure joy and excitement he felt.
"Morgan was speechless and he said his heart was beating a million miles an hour! He was shaking with excitement. Morgan's favourite position is goalie so he was overjoyed! Morgan had been lifting up his sign throughout the match and De Gea had given him a wave and thumbs up too!"
A life-time Manchester United fan, Morgan had joined a Facebook fan page for the team earlier this year and couldn't believe it when the organiser of the page sent over a whole hoard of goodies for the little lad. Football fans had heard of Morgan's story after he shared a poem he'd written about Marcus Rashford on the page and had then sent in presents for the young fan.
Gifts included a homemade knitted Man United hat, a football hoodie and vintage Man United match programmes. 'Sukie's Red Devils' page organiser, Sukie Sidhu, brought the presents on match day to give to the family and took them into The Bishop Blaize Pub near the stadium before the match where Morgan led around 500 fans in football chants.
Dana said: "Sukie has been very kind to us - he sees Morgan like a grandson. He's so lovely and kind and helps lots of fans. He arranged for Morgan to go in the pub and lead all of the football chants before the match for around 15 minutes - children aren't usually allowed in there on match days. "He carried Morgan in and took him up a step so everyone could see him and then he was lifted onto another fan's shoulders. Morgan looked stunned at first - we were too!
"Morgan led the pub in football chants and he was in his element! I was worried he would get hot and itchy or feel overwhelmed but luckily he wasn't. After the chants everyone started singing 'We love you Morgan, we do' and 'He's one of our own, that boy Morgan is one of our own'. Paul and I were stunned, it was really emotional hearing the whole pub sing to Morgan!"
Completing a tour of Old Trafford the day before the game, Morgan even got to meet players Juan Mata and Jadon Sancho who signed his Manchester United top. Wearing the signed shirt to the match the next day, Morgan was fully kitted out as he watched Manchester United beat Norwich in an incredible 3-2 game where Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick.
The shirt and de Gea's match top are now home safe and sound with Morgan as memories from 'the best day of his life', joining his Manchester United shirt that is signed by former player Rio Ferdinand - a gift from Ferdinand's personal trainer who follows his Facebook page.
Dana said: "Morgan was on cloud nine after the match and absolutely exhausted. He had suppressed a big itch all day, so when he got back to the hotel, he was really itchy and tired, but then rang all his friends and family to tell them about every detail of his day!"
