Neville Grants Emma's Wish

Skipper meets a special Everton fan.

Phil Neville has helped to make a wish come true for a special Everton fan.
 
The Blues skipper took time out after training to meet Emma Kelly who suffers from cerebellar ataxia, a rare disorder of the nervous system that affects only a few thousand people in the UK.
 
A former Season Ticket holder at Goodison Park and avid Blue, Emma, 18, had only one person in mind when she was given a special treat by Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, the charity that grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.
 
Phil was more than happy to help make her wish a reality and along with her mum Una, dad Ged and brother Joe, Emma made the trip from Wakefield for a private meeting with her hero.
 
Along with chatting to the family and posing for photographs, Phil made sure Emma had a special keepsake from her day by bringing her a pair of his signed, match-worn boots.


 
After the family enjoyed lunch at Finch Farm, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines also paid Emma a visit to pose for photographs and sign autographs.
 
Emma’s mum Una said: “Thank you so much to everyone at Everton for making us all feel so welcome. We had a brilliant time and Emma thought it was fantastic.
 
“A special thank you to Phil Neville for taking time to chat to us and make such a fuss of Emma. He made her feel very special. We really appreciate it.”
 
Neville said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet Emma. Not only is she a massive Blue but she’s a lovely young girl and I was humbled that she had asked to meet me.”
 
Since being established in the UK in 1986, Make-A-Wish Foundation UK has helped to turn 8,500 wishes into a reality. This year, they will grant a further 1,100 wishes and need to raise £7 million to achieve this. To find out more or to make a donation please visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk or call 01276 405060.