Everton star Jack Grealish has made an incredible £10,000 donation to support a Southport dad-of-three battling aggressive cancer, leaving his family overwhelmed by the generous gesture.
Leon Skapars, 36, is fighting for more time with his wife Crystal and their three sons, aged three, four and 11, as the family continues fundraising to explore further treatment options that could prolong his life.
The Everton fan’s family were left stunned when the £10,000 donation appeared on their GoFundMe page, with Crystal initially believing there had been a mistake.
It was only when she realised the donation had come from Jack Grealish that the emotion of the moment truly hit her.
The footballer’s generosity has provided a significant boost to the family’s fundraising efforts, which aim to help Leon spend as much precious time as possible with his wife and children.
Jack Grealish’s £10,000 Donation Leaves Family Overwhelmed
Speaking about the Everton star’s generosity, Crystal described the emotional moment she discovered his donation.
“We honestly can’t thank Jack Grealish enough for such an incredibly generous donation. It’s hard to put into words what it means to us as a family.
“When I first saw the amount on the GoFundMe page, I genuinely thought there was some kind of error.
“When I realised it was Jack Grealish who had donated, I burst into tears. I was completely overwhelmed.
“We’re doing everything we can to give Leon more time with me and our three boys, and this kind of support could make a real difference in helping us explore further treatment options.
“To think that Jack has taken the time to support Leon and our family is just incredible. We’re so grateful to him, and to everyone who has donated, shared our story or sent us messages of support. It means more than people could ever imagine.
“All we want is for Leon to have the chance to watch our boys grow up. We know we have a difficult road ahead, but we’ll keep fighting for as long as we can. The kindness people have shown us has been truly overwhelming, and we can’t thank everyone enough.”
Southport Community Rallies Behind Leon Skapars
The donation follows months of fundraising and community support for Leon and his family.
In August, friends and relatives took part in The Walk for Leon, completing a 20-mile journey from Southport Football Club’s stadium on Haig Avenue to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The fundraising walk brought people together to raise awareness of Leon’s battle with cancer and generate vital support for his family.
For Leon, who is a passionate Everton supporter, receiving such a substantial donation from a player representing his beloved club has made the gesture even more meaningful.
However, beyond the football connection, it is the kindness and compassion behind the donation that has touched the family most.
Fighting For More Time With His Three Sons
At just 36 years old, Leon is facing an incredibly difficult battle as he and his family explore potential treatment options.
His wife Crystal and their three young boys remain at the heart of everything, with the fundraising campaign focused on giving them more opportunities to make memories together.
Jack Grealish’s £10,000 donation could make a significant difference in helping the family investigate further treatment possibilities.
The family has also been deeply moved by the support of friends, relatives, football supporters and members of the wider community who have donated, shared their story and sent messages of encouragement.
Every contribution helps the family continue their efforts to give Leon more time with the people he loves.
How To Support Leon’s Cancer Fundraiser
Leon and his family are continuing to raise money through their GoFundMe appeal, with donations helping them explore further treatment possibilities and spend precious time together.
Anyone wishing to support the Southport family can make a donation or share their story to help the appeal reach more people.
To donate or learn more about Leon’s story, visit the Help Leon Fight Aggressive Cancer GoFundMe page.
For Crystal, the family’s greatest wish remains simple: to give Leon the chance to watch their three sons grow up.
Jack Grealish’s remarkable act of generosity has provided a major boost to that fight, while highlighting the compassion and support surrounding the family during an incredibly challenging time.
