Mark’s “Reds” Letter Day.

Home news

Mar 19, 2010

When Mark Boniface suffered a diving accident that left him paralysed from the neck down he never thought he would be joining his sporting heroes, at their Melwood training ground - but thanks to the efforts of our staff  and the generosity of Liverpool FC, his dream has come true.

Pinetum Manager Tracy Simpson said “Mark was our first resident when the complex care unit opened in 2009. We were both huge Liverpool fans. So I said I would try and get him to Anfield and, when he moved into the unit I wrote to the club and we made it happen.”

Mark said: “The visit was a dream come true and it was wonderful to be able to take my 13 year old son Jack with me. Like me he is an enormous fan and the players spent ages talking to us and signing autographs for Jack.”

Mark, Tracy, his carer Louise Scarlett and Care UK’s regional director Mike Smith were also shown around the club’s museum, changing rooms and the world famous Anfield pitch.

Tracy said: ” Mark  was ecstatic when he met his heroes Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Rafael Benitez. All the players and staff at the club couldn’t have been more generous with their time.”

Liverpool FC’s Charity Officer, Beverley Roberts, said: “It was a pleasure to be able to arrange the visit for Mark to meet his heroes, he was an inspiration to us all.”