The creation of Forever Reds has been driven by the club’s desire to ensure former players always feel part of the LFC family – providing former players with support, involving them in important work in the local community, and coming together to raise money for local charitable causes.

Together they host annual fundraising events, such as the forthcoming Forever Reds Golf Day and Forever Reds Christmas Lunch last December, and are delighted to be able to support local causes close to their hearts: Zoe’s Place, Alzheimer’s Society and Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

John Aldridge, chairman of Forever Reds, met with all three beneficiaries to present them with the donation on behalf of the association and hear more about the vital work they do.

“We’re incredibly proud to be able to host events which raise money for the right reasons,” said Aldridge. “Seeing first-hand the work all three charities do was incredible. I know the money will be put to good use and make a difference.

“Chairing Forever Reds is hugely important to me and I’m proud to represent the former players who will forever be a part of the LFC family.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated to Forever Reds or attended events like the Christmas Lunch, your support means everything. I’m delighted to now put this money back into the local community.”

Barry Lyon, Alzheimer’s Society’s north west local services manager, said: “A third of us will develop dementia in our lifetimes. We at Alzheimer’s Society vow to help as many people affected by dementia as possible, but we can’t do it without the generous support from our partners.

“We’re so grateful to Forever Reds for their amazing £25,000 donation. This money will go directly towards local dementia support services in Liverpool.

“It was an absolute pleasure meeting John Aldridge, and we were touched that he took such a keen interest in our work and spent lots of time chatting with Fran, a massive Reds fan who’s living with dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Society’s support services are a lifeline. They help people through some of the hardest and most frightening times. Thanks to this donation, we will be able to reach even more of the 32,000 people living with dementia across Liverpool.”

Gina Earnshaw, corporate and major donor fundraiser at Zoe’s Place, added: “At Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, we are lucky enough to be involved with the LFC Foundation, this partnership brings so many opportunities to both the families who attend the hospice and the growth of Zoe’s Place itself.

“We are so grateful to have now received such a generous donation from Forever Reds, this will provide the funding of our play specialist’s salary for the year. Our play specialist uses techniques that help our babies achieve developmental goals, and to understand and ease past trauma from their complex conditions, as well as supporting siblings through play.”

Tracey Wilson, head of philanthropy at Alder Hey Children’s Charity, said: “On behalf of everyone at Alder Hey, thank you to Forever Reds for your kind donation. Our new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit puts our tiniest patients and their families at the centre of care.

“This generous gift will fund a state-of-the-art Giraffe OmniBed incubator and comfortable furnishings for a parent’s room. Our work wouldn’t be possible without your support and commitment.”

To find out more about the work all three charities do, please follow the below links:

• https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
• https://www.zoes-place.org.uk/liverpool/default.aspx
• https://alderhey.nhs.uk/