Zakky Brennan visits The Oval.
Glentoran had a very special visitor to our recent home game against Ballinamallard United; Zakky Brennan.
Little Zakky (4 years old and from Dundonald) – from a family of Glentoran supporters - was diagnosed last year with Neuroblastoma Stage 4, a rare childhood cancer. With no further treatment options available to him in the UK, his family and family friends have been working hard to raise the £134,000 needed to send Zakky for the treatment at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, in Michigan, USA that may help beat his cancer through preventing him suffering a dangerous relapse. Zakky will need to travel to the clinic every 12 weeks for the next 2 years. A brave, brave boy.
Zakky and his family receive the cheque for £2,500 from Glentoran Club Sponsor Paul McLean (A McLean Bookmakers).
Left to Right: Nathan Tann (Zakky’s older brother), first team player James Ferrin, Stephen Henderson (Chairman, Glentoran FC), Paul McLean, Gareth Brennan (Zakky’s Dad), Zakky Brennan, Ruth McCreery (manager, Glentoran Superstore), Paul Leeman (Zace Print & Embroidery)
At our home game with Dungannon Swifts on New Year’s Eve, the Glens team wore a one off red shirt in Zakky’s honour. The shirts were then auctioned to supporters raising £2250 on the day. This was then increased to £2,500 through the kindness of the club’s primary sponsor, Paul McLean of A McLean Bookmakers/BetMcLean.com who also covered the full cost of producing the special shirts. At the club, the auction was organised and managed by Ruth McCreery from the Glentoran Superstore.
Central to the Glentoran effort was former captain and Glentoran legend Paul Leeman, now proprietor of Zace Print & Embroidery in Dundonald.
Leeper told www.glentoran.com :
“I know Zakky’s family through Glentoran and have followed his journey on social media. I first met Zakky in October last year at a function I attended in Stormont with my team from Dungoyne FC. He’s such a loveable wee man and my heart immediately went out to him. I then contacted Philip Stevenson who pulled together a match for the Glentoran Legends to play Linfield Legends at the Hen Run. That was a great success and raised £4,000 despite being held so close to Christmas.
Ruth McCreery and I then approached the club about the idea for the special one off kit. The club was brilliant in supporting us and Paul McLean’s contribution was also immense as it meant that no costs were deducted anywhere from the money raised so every penny has gone straight towards Zakky’s treatment.
I’m glad Glentoran and I and everyone else involved did our bit for Zakky. East Belfast in general has really rallied behind the whole Brennan family. The club gets its fair share of stick at times but the money raised for Zakky really demonstrates the importance of Glentoran and Glentoran supporters to East Belfast”.
Zakky and Gareth receive a one off 'Team Zakky' Glentoran shirt from Stephen Henderson and Ruth McCreery.
Other initiatives by Glentoran supporters to help Zakky included a match organised by the Sydenham End supporters’ group in January where a team of Glentoran supporters (including legends Leeper and Tim McCann and current Glentoran manager Gary Haveron) played a NI Legends team at Knockbreda, raising £1,760 on the day. Also Zakky benefited from the Annual New Year Charity Event run by Westbourne Glentoran Supporters Club.
Zakky had his first visit to Michigan for treatment at the start of January. However this remains a long term project so if you wish to support him financially you can do so direct at https://solvingkidscancer.org.uk/appeal/zakky/
No one better than multi trophy winning captain Paul Leeman to show Zakky the Glentoran trophy cabinet.
You can also follow Zakky’s journey on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/zakkybrennan/