Inspirational Emilia Keeps Promise To Dom - And Gets Mascot Surprise

A young Everton fan surprised favourite player Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Alder Hey on Tuesday - and then got a surprise of her own when she learned she will be mascot at the Club's next Premier League home game against Arsenal. 
 
Emilia, 9, met Calvert-Lewin at Alder Hey earlier this year after reaching out to the striker on social media. 
 
Calvert-Lewin visited the youngster, who has cerebral palsy, just days after she underwent a major five-hour operation on both legs. 
 
At that meeting, Emilia, a keen dancer, made the tough promise that by the next time she saw Calvert-Lewin she would be able to walk. 
 
Everton's first-team squad made their annual Christmas visit to Alder Hey on Tuesday and, while Calvert-Lewin knew Emilia was among the patients they would be visiting, he didn't know she would be there on the players' arrival to show him the huge improvement she has made thanks to hours of intensive physiotherapy.  

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02:10 Wed 11 Dec 2019

INSPIRATIONAL EMILIA GETS MASCOT SURPRISE

Dominic Calvert-Lewin catches up with nine-year-old fan at Alder Hey - and invites her to lead out the team against Arsenal.


 
Emerging from behind a screen and walking to Calvert-Lewin, proud Emilia said, "I told you I'd do it,” before the pair embraced in a hug.
 
However, Calvert-Lewin had news of his own and told Emilia she will get to walk out at Goodison Park alongside the players when the Blues welcome Arsenal next weekend (Saturday 21 December). 
 
"He said when he first met Emilia in hospital, ‘We'll get you walking out on that pitch’ and she's never let that go,” said Emilia’s mum, Michelle. 
 
"She’s been so determined.


 
“Emilia adores Dominic and the cuddle was just fantastic. 
 
“To see her walk out on that pitch with him? I think we will all be in tears. It will be a dream come true for Emilia.”
 
Emilia, whose condition had caused her hips to turn 80 degrees inwards before her operation, was delighted to be reunited with her Blues hero.
 
“He’s just really nice and he's got a nice heart,” she said. “I really enjoyed seeing him.
 
“He was trying to explain it [about being a mascot] to me but he didn't explain it very well! But then mum explained it a little bit better what I'm actually going to do. I can’t wait!” 


 
Calvert-Lewin, who netted twice in Everton’s 3-1 win over Chelsea last weekend, admitted to being moved by Emilia’s progress and says her courage and bravery has served as an inspiration to him.
 
“I don’t think she quite realised what I was going on about at first but once we explained it she realised!
 
“It will be a great day for me to see her at Goodison, walking out with the team.
 
“I knew she was brave anyway but to see her today and with a big smile on her face, it's what we come here for. She’s an incredible little girl.”

Watch the video of Emilia reuniting with Dominic above or see more from the players' visit to Alder Hey here.