The power of social media: couple turns to Twitter to help grant dying friend’s last wish

24 Aug

A couple have launched a Twitter campaign in a bid to help grant their dying friend’s last wish to visit Anfield.

Erhan Sahin, 25, and Lucy Dance, 27, both work at The 3 Steps pub in Uxbridge and are rallying support in the local community and online to help Sid, one of their most loyal customers, go to Anfield. 

The 3 Steps pub, where Sid goes to watch the Reds

Colin Hawes, 51, is affectionately known as Sid because of his love for the Sex Pistols singer Sid Vicious. He was recently told he only has 2-6 months to live after he suffered a stroke and doctors discovered a fatal brain tumour and terminal lung cancer. 

Mr. Sahin said: “He’s the biggest Reds fan I know. I’ve run this pub for a year and a half and he’s never missed watching a game here, whether it’s the Premier League, the Champions League or a pre-season friendly.” 

“I’m constantly on the internet trying to find people to appeal to. We’ve emailed every address we can find for LFC, but we’ve been told that the next available slot on the waiting list isn’t until March 2015, and Sid doesn’t have that long left.”

Since finding out about Sid’s diagnosis, the duo have created the hashtag #helpsidgotoanfield in a bid to help send the Steven Gerrard fanatic to Anfield before he passes.

Colin Hawes, who dreams of watching the mighty Reds at Anfield

Mr. Sahin continued: “We haven’t told him about our efforts because we don’t want to get his hopes up, but we would love it if he could go to a game and even meet one of the players.” 

The hashtag has gathered considerable attention online, including re-tweets from Liverpool MP Stephen Twigg and @BrainTumourOrg, the UK’s leading Brain Tumour Charity.

Ms. Dance added: “Sid is a lovely man. He has no family of his own apart from his brothers. He is highly regarded in our community and very, very brave.

“Even though he has been given this awful news he still comes into the pub to watch his beloved football games.” 

“We understand this is a big ask. But it would make a very sick man very happy and he would be so proud to watch his club play live.”

If you can #helpsidgotoanfield, call Erhan on 07852768221 or email [email protected].

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