IRELAND CAPTAIN SEAMUS Coleman has been through a roller coaster of events over the past few months.
There was the horrific leg-break at the Aviva back in March and subsequently facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He signed a new new five-year contract with Everton earlier this month, and the rehab in between has been far from easy.
But on Friday, Coleman took a step away from his own commitments to meet someone whose story touched him, and followed through with a truly heartwarming gesture.
Young Everton fan Daire Flanagan was born with Apert Syndrome, a rare genetic condition characterised by the premature fusion of certain skull bones.
Overseas travel is difficult for the seven-year-old from Belfast due to the care he requires, so last year, an online fundraising campaign was set up to fly Daire and his family over to see Everton in action.
Coleman boosted the fund by donating £5000, so Daire could fulfill his dream of visiting Goodison Park and meeting his heroes.
The two were united before Friday’s 1-0 victory over Watford. Daire was later introduced to the rest of the Everton players, before walking out onto the pitch with skipper Phil Jagielka.
“Some stories touch me more than others, and that just happened to be one,” Coleman told Everton FC in a heartwarming video of the day.
https://www.facebook.com/Everton/videos/10154360059156277/
“I know they’re trying to raise some money. When footballers get involved and donate money, it raises the publicity of it all. That’s what I done and more people got involved.
“Daire’s dream came true. He’s going to get to the game tonight, which makes me happy and I’m sure makes Daire and his family happy.
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