Sport

Campaign launched to get cancer-stricken Irish Liverpool fan a day out at Anfield

A FUNDRAISING campaign is underway to help bring a cancer-stricken Irish Liverpool FC fan to Anfield for the first time.

Alfie O'Leary, 54, from Wicklow, was diagnosed with cancer in his brain, liver and lungs last month and is currently undergoing a course of radiotherapy.

The father of four has never been to Anfield to see the Reds play, but with the help of podcast Talk LFC and the Liverpool Echo, over a third of the £1,500 target has been raised to finally make his dream come true.

Co-founder of Talk LFC Andy Burgess started the GoFundMe page after having Mr O’Leary’s nephew, Kenneth Geraghty, on their show.

“It is our aim to arrange transport, accommodation and two match tickets for the home game against West Bromwich Albion on October 22 this year and for him to meet some players past and present if possible. This would be a day to remember for Alfie,” reads the GoFundMe statement.

Since starting the campaign, The Shankly Hotel in Liverpool have been in touch with Talk LFC and have offered to accommodate Mr O'Leary on the night free of charge

"Since Talk LFC Podcast started Alfie’s 'Give A Fan A Chance' campaign, both Alfie’s family and ourselves have been overwhelmed with the support that the campaign has received," states a follow-up Facebook post from Talk LFC.

"This epitomizes the Liverpool Way, 'You’ll Never Walk Alone', and reinforces the fact that we are not just fellow Liverpool fans, but a Liverpool Family."

Speaking on the recent episode of LFC Talk, Mr O’Leary’s nephew Kenneth said: "I would love to get him over. In your first match at Anfield, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. That is what I want him to experience.

“Being hit with three different cancers at the same time is not a good outlook and he is very frail. I don’t even know if he will be able to fly but another option for him is to get the boat.”