Legends charity match raises €748,000 for Seán Cox Rehabilitation Trust
Liverpool FC today announced it has raised €748,000 for the Seán Cox Rehabilitation Trust following the special charity game held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin earlier this year.
The match saw Liverpool FC Legends and a Republic of Ireland XI come together in aid of the Seán Cox Rehabilitation Trust to raise vital funds for Seán’s ongoing care.
Nearly 27,000 fans turned out to support Seán – who suffered life-changing injuries when he was the victim of an unprovoked attack outside Anfield ahead of the Champions League semi-final with AS Roma in April 2018 – and watch the Reds come from behind to win 2-1.
LFC CEO Peter Moore, LFC Foundation director Matt Parish and Joe Blott, chair of the Spirit of Shankly, presented a special cheque to Seán’s wife, Martina Cox, and Stephen Felle, chairman of the Seán Cox Rehabilitation Trust.
The club, its fans and communities in England and Ireland continue to come together in support of Seán and his family.
Back in October 2018, during the Reds’ Premier League fixture against Cardiff City, the club and fans showed their support for the appeal with volunteers from LFC and Spirit of Shankly staging a bucket collection at Anfield which was match-funded by LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity, taking the total from this earlier appeal to £59,000. The club and first-team players have also supported the appeal privately.
“What happened to Seán was such a terrible tragedy – no football fan should go to a game and suffer what he and his family have endured,” said Moore.
“We have all been touched by what happened and whilst football is still a tribal game, we must come together to try to help in any way we can regardless of club colours.
“The support we have seen from football fans all over the world has shown that this game is special when everyone is united. It was incredible to see so many supporters come together and help support Seán.
“I would like to thank our fans for their unwavering loyalty in supporting this game, and also the Football Association of Ireland and its partners for their generous support in helping us deliver such a magnificent event.”
Martina Cox added: “Today is my first ever visit to Anfield and, while it is tinged with some sadness given Seán cannot be with me, we are humbled by the warmth and generosity that has been shown by Liverpool Football Club, its supporters and the people of this city in taking Seán into their hearts.
“While the doctors are pleased with his progress, it is slow and Seán himself is frustrated at not being able to properly speak or express himself or do the things he took for granted before the attack.
“Seán begins the next stage in his rehabilitation later this summer when he will travel from Dublin to a specialist neurological centre in Yorkshire. As a family we hope and pray that we get more of the old Seán back in the years ahead.”
The club looks forward to welcoming Seán and his family back to Anfield in the future.
You can still donate to the Seán Cox Rehabilitation Trust by visiting www.gofundme.com/SupportSeanCox.