A couple that launched a Twitter campaign to help grant their dying friend’s last wish to visit Anfield have had their prayers answered by the people of Liverpool.
Erhan Sahin, 25, and Lucy Dance, 27, created the hashtag #helpsidgotoanfield after they found out that one of their closest friends has only 2-6 months to live.
Colin Hawes, 51, also known as Sid, is a loyal customer at Erhan and Lucy’s pub in Middlesex, where he never misses watching Liverpool games. He recently suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with a brain tumour and terminal lung cancer.
Since launching the Twitter campaign the couple have been inundated with calls, texts, emails and Tweets from the Liverpool community with ticket offers and donations to help the cause.
Erhan said: “We’ve had around 30-40 offers from people all over Liverpool. We’re absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity.”
“A Liverpool Dad phoned me and told me that he’d just bought four tickets for his family to see a game, and they’ve never been before.”
“But then his 14-year-old son read about Sid’s story in the Echo and told his Dad to give away the tickets. It brought tears to my eyes.”
“But then his 14-year-old son read about Sid’s story in the Echo and told his Dad to give away the tickets. It brought tears to my eyes.”
The couple have gratefully accepted an offer from the ticket company @Match_Ticket_NOTOUTS who have set aside three tickets for the Liverpool vs Aston Villa game on September 13.
The company have also booked the trio in for two nights at a hotel and have arranged for them to enjoy a stadium tour before the game.
A spokesperson for @Match_Ticket told the Echo: “Money isn’t everything. It’s just nice to give something back to someone who will really benefit from visiting Anfield, life’s hard enough as it is.”
Since creating a second hashtag, #helpsidmeethisteam, 80-year-old Alex Stewart from Liverpool, who is enjoying his 72nd season watching the mighty reds, has contacted the couple and offered to arrange for Sid to meet the players at the Aston Villa game.
Erhan added: “I know how passionate people are about football and it’s touching that so many people from the Liverpool community have been so willing to give up a special occasion for Sid.”
“We’re excited and nervous to announce the big news to Sid the next time he comes to the pub.”
I originally wrote this story for the Liverpool Echo, it can be viewed here.
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