Ballyfermot Grandmother gets her Liverpool wish

By Maurice Garvey

THE response to an appeal in The Echo last week for a fatally-ill grandmother to see her beloved Liverpool FC has been superb – with the community stepping up in spades to support Marie Wright and her family.

Marie, from Cleggan Road in Ballyfermot, was diagnosed with lung cancer in February, and initially given weeks to live, but will be travelling over to Anfield on September 10 to see her heroes play for the first time in person against Leicester City.

A remarkable outpouring of goodwill followed the appeal put out by the family, with Reds fans pouring onto the Marie’s Wish Facebook page to help her to see the team and meet some players.

Ballyfermot woman Lisa Maher, immediately contacted the D15 Liverpool Club to try and source tickets for the family.

Some ticket season holders even offered the family the use of their cards on matchday at no cost, while many others made enquiries to the club on behalf of the family.

An anonymous supporter contacted the family to tell them they have sorted out two tickets, a wheelchair and a carer, to accompany Marie as she travels to Merseyside.

Marie’s daughter Janice, who set up the page with her brother Ray, said: “It was amazing. As soon as the article went up, we started getting messages straight away. We’ve been bombarded with help, but it has been great.

“The article even went in the Liverpool Echo. We haven’t secured the tickets yet, but we are hoping to get them on the day of the match.”

Feisty Marie, a grandmother to 14, has been coping well despite her ordeal.

“She had cancer and a kidney removed years ago, around the time of the Hillsborough disaster, but she still made sure she could watch whatever match was on at the time, dragging her drips along to the tv in the hospital,” said Janice.

“We’ve had well wishes and lots of offers of help from many people all over the world, and we’d like to thank everyone for their kind words and taking us into their hearts.”

Nothing has yet been confirmed of Marie’s wish of meeting Liverpool players, but the trip could yet provide a surprise or two along the way.