Get some tissues ready: Liverpool grandad with Alzheimer's sings You'll Never Walk Alone
He even used to work for Liverpool FC.
Alzheimer's will never take away his love for LFC â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ Happy 85th Birthday grandad joe â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ your loved more than you will ever know! @LFC #Alzheimers #LiverpoolFC pic.twitter.com/iLxXTkGhck
— Rebecca Smith (@HairByRebeccaS) February 18, 2018
An 85-year-old Woolton man suffering from Alzheimer's has left the Internet in tears after he sung "You'll Never Walk Alone" at his birthday party.
The father of six, grandfather of 13 and great-grandfather of 16 celebrate his 85th birthday with 30 family members present on Monday (19 February). In front of a crowd, Joe Hawkins broke out the famous anthem of Liverpool FC, a team he has supported all his life.
"Grandad Joe" even once worked at the club as a steward. According to the Liverpool Echo, his youngest grandchild Laura McNally, 26, said he broke out into song when a hired singer for the day started on "You'll Never Walk Alone."
"He obviously loves it but we never expected him to be able to sing along like that," McNally said. "Everyone was crying, even the carers who look after him. It was a very emotional moment. He doesn't really remember much as he has had Alzheimer's for many years, but he still remembered the words to his favourite song."
Rebecca Smith, a freelance hairdresser, posted the video on Twitter and was met by an overwhelming response.
Among the dozens of replies was Liverpool FC's official Twitter account:
Many happy returns Joe. ð #YNWA
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 19, 2018
Even Everton FC fans were getting on board with the sentiment:
As a Everton fan, that was nice to see, god bless your grandad ð
— Toffees!!! (@steefc1984) February 18, 2018
Liverpool fans have of course been sending out well wishes:
Boss that. YNWA and happy birthday, Joe. ðð»ð´â½ï¸
— Peter Simpson (@PeterSimmoYNWA) February 20, 2018
I love it!.... Congrats!... #YNWA
— Jon Camey (@JoN_S97) February 19, 2018
You can take anything from a Liverpool fan but not the deep rooted LFC love, Ynwa grandad Joe
— Kushel G (@g_kushel) February 19, 2018