Rivalries were set aside last weekend as Everton and Liverpool fans joined forces for a 20-mile fundraising hike to Hill Dickinson Stadium, supporting Blues fan Leon Skapars, who has been diagnosed with late-stage cancer.
Leon, 35, a father of three, has been told he may have just a few years left to live. His family and friends aim to raise £100,000 for clinical trials and specialist treatment in the USA and Germany.
Walk For Leon
Friends organized the walk from Southport Football Club to Hill Dickinson Stadium, via Anfield, covering one mile for every year they've known Leon. The route ended at Everton's home ground, reflecting Leon's allegiance.
Close friend Paul Mills said: "We've been friends for over 20 years, and Leon has always been there for us. We've hit a time in our lives, with young kids and stuff, where we don't really see each other like we used to, but when we do it's like we've never been apart."
"What's happening to Leon, Crystal and the boys is just heartbreaking, and we all put our heads together to see how we could help," he added.
Club Support
Both clubs offered support, with Everton providing a tour of the stadium and tickets for a Premier League game, plus a training ground visit for Leon and his family.
Paul said: "Both clubs have been absolutely fantastic with the support they've offered us, and when we contacted Everton, they offered to meet us and give us a tour so we could end the walk inside Hill Dickinson Stadium."
Fundraising Progress
The walk raised around £12,000, with additional contributions from a friend in Australia (£10,000) and online donations (£35,000). The group hopes to maintain momentum toward the £100,000 goal.
Paul added: "How Crystal is holding herself together at the moment, I don't know. She never stops on social media, because they need £100,000 to fund the treatment."
"As a group, we've raised around £12,000 so far through the walk and we have a friend in Australia who's raised £10,000 over there. The family themselves have raised about £35,000 online, so we're getting there. But we've a long way to go and a lot of momentum needs to be carried on with it."
Speedo Mick, known for his blue swimwear, joined the walkers to amplify the cause after seeing it online. Several participants traveled from as far as South Wales.
