Everton fan gets Liverpool tattoo to support suffering boy
Evertonian Matty Bowman had the Liverpool slogan ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ tattooed across his back to raise funds for a dying boy with a mystery illness. (Photo Courtesy: gofundme.com/teamgeorge)
Lifelong Everton FC fan Matty Bowman, 27 has got the Liverpool motto ‘You’ll never walk alone’ tattooed across his back to support George Bertie Johnson, a 4 year old boy who has a very rare motility condition.
Matty’s second thoughts on getting the tattoo didn’t stop him from raising thousands of pounds to support the Team George charity that is directed towards helping George Johnson to go to the United States of America to meet with a specialist doctor so that the right diagnosis could be made.
“I thought I’d do something different and really get people’s attention,” told Matty. “I was going to do a walk or marathon but then I figured I’d get this tattoo and promote George’s cause.”
“I’m a massive Everton supporter, the most bitter Blue too. I really resent the red half of Liverpool. I love to hate them.”
“Now having this Liverpool FC slogan on my back – you can imagine how devastated I feel. I’ve been so nervous about getting this tattoo done. If I’m honest, I’ve had second thoughts many-a-time.”
“But the reaction from both Everton and Liverpool fans has been fantastic. They know the reason behind what I’m doing and they think it’s a great idea.”
This wasn’t Matty’s first tattoo but surely this must have hurt him the most.
“Mentally it was very bad. I didn’t look at it – I just asked them to cover it up. I think this was one that hurt the most because of what it was, and with it being on the soft skin by my neck.”
“It was really good and we had a few people turn up to watch, George and his mum were there.
Not only has Matty Bowman raised funds for Team George but the awareness he has drummed up is unbelievable.
Even though the diagnosis of George’s illness is yet to be found, it has been suggested that he is suffering from dysautonomia which means that George can’t eat or drink and is currently fed directly through his heart. George has spent his entire life in hospital where specialists are working on hopefully getting him better.
George’s family has already raised £16,120, more than what their targeted goal ( £15,000) was.
“His mum has not stopped thanking me. We are going out for a meal next week as a thank you. If I didn’t want to do it, I wouldn’t have done, but I did it for a reason – it was for George, I’ve got a boy the same age,” the generous Matty added.
Emma Johnson, George’s mother was thankful towards Matty’s kind gesture.
“We are so grateful, it’s a gesture we would never expect anybody to do and the fact he has done it and put so much effort into helping George has been fantastic… we hope this is going to be life changing for George. It’s certainly been life changing for Matt. It’s a big deal and we are very grateful,” she said.
You can still make donations for young George by clicking here.