Following the tragic death of passionate Liverpool fan Liam Harker to cancer at the age of 17, his family have penned a letter to express their heartfelt thanks to those fans who gave their son so much happiness in his final days.
Dear LFC,
I am writing to thank the supporters of Liverpool Football Club for making my son's last few days with us happy ones.
On April 17 he received a signed shirt along with other bits and bobs from your club after one of your fantastic fans got in touch. You offered for him to travel to Liverpool but he was too poorly to make the trip. When he received the shirt it was the first time I had seen him smile or seen his eyes shine in weeks.
Between your club and the fans you have supporting you, you made my son's last few weeks bearable and for that I am eternally grateful.
The banner that was shown during the first leg of the Liverpool v Chelsea semi-final was the second time the smile and glint in his eye returned. Seeing him lying in bed wearing his precious shirt are memories we will carry with us forever.
He was barely with us for the second leg but he watched as much as he could. At the end, he said 'the best team lost'.
Liam was diagnoses with Burkitt's disease (cancer) on February 21 and was in Newcastle RVI for intense chemotherapy. On March 28 we were told the treatment was working but then a week later we received the terrible news it had returned and there was nothing they could do. They gave him two weeks to live and he was with us for four. He passed away at 4pm on May 5.
He was a humble, brave and courageous 17-year old and I truly believe that along with his friends, family and his love of music, the signed shirt you sent gave him the strength to stay with us longer.
That is why, although it's hard, I wanted to write this letter of thanks to you all.
Liam said 'you only ever see the bad press about football and its fans but you never see this side, do you mum?' He's right. So, once again, thankyou from us all. A simple shirt made the world of difference to a young fan and his family.
Yours forever grateful,
Tracie (mum), Reuben (dad) and Paige (sister)
Makes me prouder than ever to be a liverpool fan
