Skip to content

Boy helping mum through cancer gets Jack Grealish visit

Rumeana JahangirNorth West
EFC Jack Grealish, who wears an Everton blue santa hat and black t-shirt, smiles as he chats with Georgie, who wears the same hat and blue school sweater. They are sitting at a table in a classroom with colourful items pinned up on the wall behind.EFC
Jack Grealish surprised eight-year-old Georgie when he visited his school

A schoolboy who has been "supporting his mum" following her diagnosis with stage four cancer received a surprise visit from Jack Grealish.

Eight-year-old Georgie's mum Gemma was diagnosed with stage four blood cancer following the death of his father and grandmother.

Gemma nominated her son for the surprise and said she "nearly cried on the phone" when the club called her to say Georgie had been selected.

Speaking of the visit to St Monica's Primary School in Bootle, Gemma said Grealish's visit had provided some relief after a "stressful" time.

"He's always loved Grealish, even when he was at Manchester City."

She told how she was asked to keep the visit to St Monica's Catholic Primary School in Bootle a secret and hide from her son when Grealish surprised Georgie's class earlier this month.

The club recently posted a video showing the children's delighted reactions, while the former Aston Villa player - who is on loan at the Blues from Manchester City - joined them in making Christmas crafts and joked that he and Georgie were "best mates".

"He was just so lovely, he just has a way about him with kids," Gemma said.

EFC Jack Grealish stand and smailes at the front of a classroom with about 20 children. The children are spread around five big tables with various Christmas cutouts in front of them. The children looked surpised to see him as he moves to shake hands with Georgie at his table. Tinsel and school artwork decorate the walls around the room.EFC
Grealish joined the class in making Christmas crafts

Gemma later met Grealish with her son and father Keith, who had also nominated Georgie for the surprise visit.

"Georgie asked [Grealish] to do an Erling Haaland celebration after he next scores for Everton."

The pupil has also been invited to be a mascot for Everton's match against Arsenal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Grealish said: "We'll look after him and I've heard he likes Declan Rice as well, so I'll make sure I get Dec's shirt for him."

EFC Group shot of Grealish with his arms around mum Gemma, wearing a grey turban cap and white jumper with the word Love, and grandad Keith in a blue Everton shirt on the left. Georgie in his blue Everton santa hat and blue school uniform stands in front of them. EFC
Grealish met Georgie's mother Gemma and grandfather Keith at the school

Gemma, who found she had pneumonia after becoming ill during an Everton game, said Grealish's visit had provided some relief after a "stressful" time.

"It meant the world. Georgie's still on a high," she said.

Grandfather Keith said: "It means so much to us for Grealish to come and take the time to meet him and look after him.

"Georgie has coped with everything so well and been so supportive to his mum and everyone around him.

"He and his mum are an inspiration to me. The way they've handled it is phenomenal."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.