CHRISTMAS has certainly come early for an Annalong schoolboy. Liverpool FC fan Jimmy Gordon was one of just four children from across Northern Ireland selected to take part in a VIP trip to the top Premier League side’s AXA Training Centre at Kirkby last week. Jimmy and his dad, Willie, got to meet many of the team’s high-profile players, including star Egyptian forward Mo Salah, team captain Virgil van Dijk, Darwin Nunez, Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott, Alexis Mac Allister and Konstantinos Tsimikas, as well as the club’s manager, Jurgen Klopp. They all happily posed for photos and signed autographs and football memorabilia, leaving the 10-year-old starstruck and well and truly grinning from ear to ear.
The trip came about within a number of months of a high-profile fundraiser, involving former Liverpool FC captain and Scottish legend Graeme Souness, who took part in an English Channel swim to raise money for DEBRA UK, the charity that supports people affected by the rare skin fragility condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa, or EB for short.
The disorder, also known as ‘butterfly skin’, causes the skin to tear or blister at the slightest touch. Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is the name for this group of rare inherited skin disorders that cause the skin to become very fragile. Any trauma or friction to the skin can cause painful blisters. The three main types of EB are epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) – the most common type, which can range from mild, with a low risk of serious complications, to severe; dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) – which can range from mild to severe; and, junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) – a rare form of EB that ranges from moderate to severe. The type reflects where on the body the blistering takes place and which layer of skin is affected. Jimmy, who has been supporting Liverpool FC as long as he can remember, was diagnosed with dystrophic EB at birth. Yet he strives to lead as full and active a life as possible and plays for Annalong FC’s under-11 side.
His condition is managed by Dr Susannah Hoey, and the team at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, who, as Jimmy’s mum Susanna explained, “have provided care, support and kindness” from the outset. She said that the timing for the visit could not have been any better – Jimmy was thrilled to be able to meet so many first team players from the squad, as well as the team’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, fresh from their 4-3 victory over Fulham FC the previous day. The local father and son duo added that they were really impressed by “the friendly and welcoming” set-up fostered by the famous German and his team. The training ground facilities were, as Jimmy put it, “amazing” and watching the team during a coaching session was another unforgettable highlight of his trip. Jimmy, along with his parents, said they really appreciate the generosity and kindness of the County Down businessman who organised this trip.
Memories have been created that will last a lifetime, they added. When footballing legend Graeme Souness took part in a crosschannel 21-mile swim in June, as part of a six-person relay, £1m was raised. The team completed the charity challenge in 12 hours and 17 minutes. The former Liverpool, Rangers and Scotland player was inspired to take on the challenge after meeting Scottish teenager Isla Grist (14), who suffers from the same rare skin disease as Jimmy. In advance of the swimming challenge, the 70-year-old broke down in tears during a TV interview, when he called EB “the cruellest disease out there”.
One of the other children selected for the recent visit to Liverpool’s training complex was organ donation campaigner and fellow Liverpool fan Dáithí Mac Gabhann, from Belfast. Glyn Hanna, who nominated Jimmy to take part in the visit, said he was thrilled when he got the good news that Jimmy had been chosen to be amongst the select group of young fans heading to Merseyside. The local councillor said he was “thrilled to hear” how much the Annalong schoolboy enjoyed the trip, which was sprung on him less than a fortnight ago. He added: “I was delighted to play a small role in getting Jimmy involved in the visit to Liverpool. Judging by the photos, and after speaking with his family, he had an amazing time, and this could, quite possibly, be one of the best Christmas presents he ever will receive. “Jimmy was a worthy choice.”
