Visually-impaired boy says Jack Grealish signed shirt and braille letter has ‘made my decade’
Visually-impaired boy says Jack Grealish signed shirt and braille letter has ‘made my decade’
A fan of Jack Grealish said the footballer has 'made my decade' after getting a very special delivery from the Manchester City and England player.
Grealish has developed quite the reputation for being rather a good egg when it comes to interacting with his fans.
He's very caring for his little sister Hollie, who has cerebral palsy and is the footballer's 'best friend', and he was absolutely lovely towards young fan Finlay when they met with an England celebration dedicated to him.
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And Grealish has got plenty to celebrate at the moment, considering his Manchester City side just won the treble, but he's taken the time to send a package to a young visually-impaired fan.
10-year-old Ralph Mullineaux has been a fan of Grealish for years and wants to be just like him, so you can imagine his joy when his favourite footballer sent him a signed shirt and a letter written in braille.
Ralph's mum, Georgina, posted the heartwarming moment to Instagram, showing her son's joy, writing: "Thank you so much to man of the moment, @jackgrealish, who’s sent Ralph a signed shirt and a personalised letter - written in Braille!
"Grealish is Ralph’s hero. Ralph wears his hair like Jack so he can be just like him, and he even wanted to wear his hairband when he starred in @guidedogsuk latest advert.
"Ralph sent Jack a letter in Braille telling him how much of an amazing role model he is. As Ralph has a visual impairment, he really loves how Grealish understands disability and celebrates his sister who has cerebral palsy.
"Ralph was beyond thrilled to get a reply from his favourite footballer and for it to be in Braille, is just so special. It’s so nice to see how inclusive and kind Jack and the @ManCity can be.
"I really can’t believe how much has happened this year! Ralph was accepted onto the England Para Football VI Pathway programme, he’s starred in the Guide Dogs TV advert (who have helped him so much) and then this.
"I’m so proud of him."
The gift from Grealish has been an incredibly welcome surprise for Ralph and the braille letter from the sporting superstar said: "We’re a football family. We’re always going to be with you’."
The 10-year-old is visually-impaired and will be receiving his own one-on-one trainer to learn how to play the beautiful game.
"When I’m sad, it’s the right thing to do. If I feel down about something or if I don’t feel very well, football will help," Ralph told PA, saying the game takes him to 'a different world'.
Topics: Football, Sport, Manchester City
Joe Harker