Over £1000 raised for 'meals on wheels' as football fans don rival club's shirts

Two diehard football fans have donned the shirts of a rival club in an effort to raise money to support the vulnerable during lockdown.
Man United fans Alan Withers and Scott Geoghegan donned Liverpool shirts while delivering hot meals in the Antiville area.Man United fans Alan Withers and Scott Geoghegan donned Liverpool shirts while delivering hot meals in the Antiville area.
Man United fans Alan Withers and Scott Geoghegan donned Liverpool shirts while delivering hot meals in the Antiville area.

Manchester United supporters Alan Withers and Scott Geoghegan, from Larne, wore Liverpool FC tops while delivering hot meals in the Antiville area of the town at the weekend.

It is part of ongoing efforts by Antiville Residents' Forum to provide meals and emergency supplies for those in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Alan, who is chairman of the Forum, said that the idea to support their group's fund initially came from Thomas Hunter at 1st Larne Liverpool Supporters' Club.

"He asked how they could get involved with helping out with deliveries and making a donation, as they had seen the good work we were doing within the borough. It was suggested then that perhaps they would pay for a week of our meals on wheels - that's around 70 meals," he said.

"It really took off after Stephen Lilley, also a member of the local Liverpool supporters' club, suggested that he would make a separate personal donation if we wore Liverpool tops doing deliveries on Sunday [May 10]."

The novel fundraiser generated an amazing £1120 in total. "This will allow the group to deliver six week's worth of meals, provided by Marty's Catering," Alan added.

"Because of that it frees us up to bring in more essential items.

"As a group we are reliant on donations so it's absolutely brilliant."

Posting on the Antiville Residents' Forum Facebook page, Alan thanked all those who donated for their generosity.

He added: "A massive special shout out to the Liverpool supporters' club. First class. You have my utmost respect."

In March, Antiville's bonfire committee revealed that funds gathered for this year's Twelfth of July celebrations would instead go towards providing essential grocery items for vulnerable members of the community.