NewsYoung Reds fan presents LDSA award to Mo Salah

Harry, who is one of the younger members of the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association (LDSA), was surprised with a trip to the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby to meet Salah and present him with his latest award: the LDSA’s Men’s Player of the Year.

Harry was born with the condition spina bifida and is a wheelchair user, but does not let any obstacle get in his way. He is a big sports fan who enjoys football, boxing, basketball and swimming and one day hopes to compete in the Paralympics. Earlier this season, he raised more than £2,000 for the LDSA and Owen McVeigh Foundation by taking part in the city’s Santa Dash run.

The LDSA’s Women’s Player of the Year was awarded to striker Leanne Kiernan, who is currently enjoying a well-earned break after her recent league win and promotion triumph with LFC Women.

Kiernan shared her thanks to LDSA members via a video message at their recent end-of-season awards dinner, saying: “I’m delighted to have been awarded player of the season and it has been a huge honour to represent Liverpool throughout the season and thank you for the support home and away.”

For the first time in three years, the LDSA held its end-of-season awards dinner at Anfield, with 250 members in attendance.

The LDSA also presented awards to the LFC ticket office disability team, 10 Anfield accessibility stewards and 10 European accessibility travel stewards who have gone above and beyond in supporting its members this season.

Lynn Morris, more affectionately known by members as ‘Mama Lynn’, also picked up an award for her tireless and dedicated contribution to the LDSA throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including inviting LDSA and LFC Foundation families into her kitchen via video call for cookery lessons and cooking nights.

This season has been another big success for the LDSA, which now has 1,000 active members.

Some of its many highlights include: providing 1,000 food parcels to its member families; joining The Owen McVeigh Foundation on a trio of events, including Alice in Wonderland tea party, a pizza cooking night with Virgil van Dijk, and a home movie night; and providing junior members access to both Anfield’s and Wembley’s sensory rooms and dedicated tours of Anfield.

Ted Morris, chair of the LDSA, said: “I am really proud of what the association has achieved this year. Working alongside the club, LFC Foundation, LFC’s Red Neighbours and other charity partners, including The Owen McVeigh Foundation and The 23 Foundation, we have provided some fantastic opportunities for our members, creating memorable experiences for them and ensuring that they receive the very best support possible.

“After what has been a difficult few years, it’s a privilege to be back at Anfield to celebrate our end-of-season awards and have Harry present our members award to Mo Salah in person – I’m sure he will be talking about that experience for many years to come.”

To find out more about the Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, please visit https://liverpooldsa.co.uk/