Suarez 'humbled' by award from disabled Liverpool fans as Gerrard praised for his charity support

By Graeme Yorke

PUBLISHED: 11:21 EST, 24 May 2013 | UPDATED: 11:21 EST, 24 May 2013


Liverpool stars Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard showed their support for good causes this week.

Striker Suarez attended a special dinner of Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association (LDSA) where he was presented with the Player of the Year Award.

Proud: Luis Suarez receives LDSA Player of the Year award from fan Joseph Baxter

Proud: Luis Suarez receives LDSA Player of the Year award from fan Joseph Baxter

Support: Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association President David Fairclough and Suarez attended special dinner

Support: Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association President David Fairclough and Suarez attended special dinner

As well as receiving the award, Suarez signed autographs and posed for photographs with all of the 200 LDSA members who attended the dinner.

He said: 'I'm happy to be here and humbled to accept this award from the LDSA supporters.

'Our fans are amazing and I would like to thank them for their commitment, support and for choosing me as their player of the year.'

The LDSA was set up in 2003 and is run by disabled supporters for disabled supporters.

In partnership with Liverpool Football Club, the LDSA addresses all matters relating to facilities for disabled people and aims to provide social opportunities for all its members.

Former player and current President of the LDSA, David Fairclough, also accepted the Presidential Award on the night.

David, said: 'I'm delighted to accept this great award and delighted to be asked to assume such a prestigious position as LDSA President. 

Caring: Steven Gerrard took time out of his busy schedule to visit children's charity Brainwave North West Centre

Caring: Steven Gerrard took time out of his busy schedule to visit children's charity Brainwave North West Centre

'Our members of the LDSA are a credit to the Club and always show their commitment by turning up in their droves.

'The LDSA is a fantastic organisation and it's great for the members that Luis is here to receive this esteemed award, he added.

Gerrard MBE took time out of his busy schedule to visit children's charity Brainwave North West Centre causing great excitement among staff and families as he toured the North West Centre which helps families with children who have Development Delay, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Downs syndrome.

Steven met two of the families, both from Warrington, that he is sponsoring through the charity's Guardian Scheme.

Two and a half year old Ewan Langley, who has Cerebral Palsy, was clearly excited to meet Steven together with his parents Nicola and Alex who took the opportunity to thank him for his generosity in sponsoring the cost of Ewan's treatment and therapy for 12 months.

Gerrard helps pay treatment for Ewan Langley

Boost: Gerrard helps pay treatment for Victoria Hricko (above) and Ewan Langley (below)

Steven was also thanked by Jana and Peter Hricko who have a 23 month old daughter Victoria

Gerrard was also thanked by Jana and Peter Hricko who have a 23 month old daughter Victoria.

Jana says, 'It was fantastic to have an opportunity to meet Steven and thank him in person for his generosity in sponsoring Victoria's treatment through the Brainwave Guardian Scheme.'

It costs approximately £3,500 for a child to go on a Brainwave programme over a 12 month period.

Most of the funds required are raised by the fundraising team's initiatives to ensure that no family is ever turned away.

Steven Gerrard said: 'I count myself as very fortunate as I have three healthy daughters and when I heard about Brainwave and the inspirational work it does with children I decided to offer my support and also to come and see the North West Centre for myself.'

The charity works with families to deliver individual, home-based therapy and exercises for children with disabilities and Development Delay to help them reach their full potential. This can be anything from walking to feeding themselves. By working with parents, giving them relevant therapy equipment and teaching them correct handling skills, they are empowered to actively participate in their child's development.

Brainwave has three Centres including the North West Centre in Birchwood and two further Centres in Bridgwater, Somerset and in Witham, Essex as well as satellite clinics in Ireland and Scotland so that families can access Brainwave wherever they are based in the UK.

 

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Yes these are players who help others not just think of themselves, they both appear at lots of charity do's.

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Clubs like Liverpool do lots within their community. I remember a short time ago watching a Liverpool video when they sent a bunch of the youth players into a local childrens hospital at Easter to hand out Chocolate egg's to the kids in hospital. Not sure if this has always been the case but Brendan Rodgers seems to be very keen to push this sort of agenda.

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Suarez PR machine in overdrive

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Love u gerard and Liverpool Liverpool for life

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It's great what these two players have done..on the pitch, as a United fan I don't have good words but personally I think Steven Gerard is a good person and a good example to up and coming young footballers, even Suarez seems to be a nice person, he just sees the red mist sometimes during football matches...can't condone any of his antics on the pitch but at least he's showing a more likeable side to his personality.

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Aggression is part of being a good football player, as a Preston fan I dont mind Suarez and see him as a world class player even if he does have the odd nibble. Fair play to him for meeting the kids as well, most prem players would be sulking because they couldnt visit the golf course...

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Great guys!!!

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Very convenient that there just happened to be a photographer there to record his visit.

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Very nice to see.

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Fair play to Suarez. With the stick he's been (deservedly) getting some players would just go moody.

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