Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Pablo Hernandez made a special surprise visit recently to a family associated with Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, the club’s official Charity of the Year for the 2018/19 season.
Freddie is just five-years-old and he was born with Alagille syndrome meaning he has already had to fight his way through more obstacles than most in his short life. Alagille syndrome is a rare life-threatening heart and liver disease and so Freddie has spent most of his life in and out of hospital and dealt with having a liver transplant and two open heart surgeries amongst a number of other procedures and tests heavily affecting his quality of life since birth.
Freddie has been on a roller coaster of a journey with his family which include mum Emma, dad Phil and eight-year-old brother Louie. Together as a family they have been through some of the toughest times but received support from Children’s Heart Surgery Fund every step of the way.
The charity works with youngsters born with congenital heart disease and their families and has just been announced as charity partner of the year for Leeds United, a campaign that will not only raise awareness for the fantastic work they do and raise vital funds for life-saving equipment and monies to refurbish the family unit based at Leeds General Infirmary but also provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences for these young heart heroes, helping them to create memories that can help the families they support get through the hardest of circumstances.
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund informed the club all about Freddie and his brother Louie, who has been side by side with his brother through every operation and recovery period, and as they’re both huge Leeds United fans that love to play football a surprise visit was arranged with two of their favourite players, goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and attacking midfielder Pablo Hernandez.
The Whites duo paid a surprise visit to their home in Ossett where they delivered new home kits with ‘Freddie’ and ‘Louie’ emblazoned on the back and they also had a quick kick-about in the brothers’ back garden, a dream come true for them both and something they’ll never forget.
Their mum Emma spoke to LUTV during the visit and said: “To have Leeds United players come to our house it has meant the world to us because it’s what little boys dream of, especially given they’re massive Leeds fans – Louie is teaching Freddie everything he knows about Leeds.
“It’s been incredible to be a part of this and I just want to say a huge thank you to the club and Children’s Heart Surgery Fund just for making this possible, it’s moments like these that we cherish as a family and something the boys will always look back on and remember.”
If you’d like to donate to Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and help families just like Freddie’s please visit;
