We've teamed up with Everton to deliver a special once-in-a-lifetime Mother’s Day present to a Liverpool NHS children’s nurse and Everton fan, who has spent her entire life caring for others.
Julia Roberts, a clinical manager in the Integrated Community Children's Nursing (ICCN) team at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, received a surprise on-shift visit from Everton club captain Seamus Coleman to thank her for more than three decades of service to the NHS and young people on Merseyside.
As part of the surprise, lifelong Toffee Julia received an early Mother’s Day gift package to meet and watch the team train at Hill Dickinson Stadium before seeing them beat Burnley 2-0 from premium seats.
Julia, 53, was nominated for the experience by her daughter Beth, 23, after overcoming a series of personal challenges in recent years. In 2023, Julia faced a life-threatening medical emergency when her bowel suddenly failed, requiring major surgery that ultimately saved her life. She came through the ordeal with extraordinary strength and resilience to return to work in 2024.
Now living without her bowel and adapting to life with a stoma bag, she continues to face daily challenges with the same determination that has defined her career.
Despite being a lifelong Everton fan and going to many of last season’s games at Goodison, Julia hadn’t yet had the opportunity to attend a match at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Beth and her family told us how much she would love to experience a match at the club’s new home and we’re pleased she helped bring the team three points. Her story is one of courage, selflessness and quiet heroism – making a difference to so many lives in the way only the NHS can. It was our pleasure to bring her a special early Mother’s Day treat.Andrew Craggs
Health of Health at Hill Dickinson
Julia’s daughter Beth said: “My mum has spent her entire life working to help others. As a nurse at Alder Hey, everyone around the hospital knows her and how hard she works and how dedicated she is to helping all those kids. When her bowel suddenly died and she had to undergo major life-threatening surgery to remove it. Being the hero that she is, she came out the other side, without a bowel, but with a lot more fight in her. I’m incredibly proud of her.”
Everton club captain, Seamus Coleman, said: “You could see after the tough years she's had what Everton means to her. To get the opportunity to go to a game, you could see it meant the world. I was speaking to some of her colleagues and they all speak so highly of her and how much she loves her job, so that says a lot about her as well. I'm happy to play my part. It was very special for me as well to see how much it all meant to her."
Andrew Craggs, head of health at Hill Dickinson, said: “Despite being a lifelong Everton fan and going to many of last season’s games at Goodison, Julia hadn’t yet had the opportunity to attend a match at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Beth and her family told us how much she would love to experience a match at the club’s new home and we’re pleased she helped bring the team three points. Her story is one of courage, selflessness and quiet heroism – making a difference to so many lives in the way only the NHS can. It was our pleasure to bring her a special early Mother’s Day treat.”