Liverpool legend togs out for Irish charity

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been signed — lining out this time for an Irish charity.

Carragher and his 23 Foundation have teamed up with The Saoirse Foundation to support sick children and those affected by rare and genetic disorders.

Tony Heffernan, the founder of the Kerry-based charity, said he was absolutely thrilled with the partnership, which he hopes will help fund the construction of Liam’s Lodge.

“It gives our charity an endorsement from one of the world’s best loved and well known premiership footballers of all time,” he said.

“We will work very closely with Jamie and his team. Our initial focus will be primarily on building Liam’s Lodge and our growing our BUMBLEance service.

“We are currently seeking companies to not only consider ‘adopting a lodge’, and where possible to donate building materials and services to help build the centre.”

Liam’s Lodge, named after Tony and Mary Heffernan’s son Liam, who is terminally ill with Batten’s disease, will be Ireland’s first national respite centre for children with genetic and rare conditions. It has been earmarked for a 10-acre site in Blennerville, Tralee, Co Kerry.

The Heffernans lost their daughter, Saoirse, to Batten’s disease on Jan 18, 2011. She was just five.

Carragher said his foundation aims to help as many children as possible to have a better life.

“The 23 Foundation promotes the idea of ‘we’ and ‘us’ because together as a community and with help from people like you reading this, we can accomplish anything,” he said.

Carragher is a Liverpool legend, having played as a defender for the Premier League club for 17 years.

A one-club man, he started his footballing career at the Liverpool Academy, making his professional debut in the 1996–97 season and becoming a first-team regular the following season.

He was Liverpool’s vice- captain for 10 years, and is the club’s second-longest serving player, making his 737th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions on May 19, 2013.

He also holds the record for the most appearances in European competition for Liverpool with 150.

His honours include two FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, one Champions League, one Uefa Cup, and two Super Cups.