Liverpool’s match with Wolves last Saturday was a day of remembrance for Diogo Jota, who featured prominently for both clubs before his untimely passing just prior to the season. Jota’s children and other
family mascots served as mascots when the teams walked out onto the pitch, and both sets of supporters serenaded the ground with their respective songs for Jota throughout the match.
To top off the weekend, artist Paul Curtis, known for his murals of Liverpool greats seen around the Anfield area, announced that additional funds raised for the mural he painted in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva would be donated to the grassroots football foundation being set up in Jota’s name. Curtis had initially set up a crowdfunding target of £2,000 back in July to cover the cost of materials for the mural. Supporters ended up contributing over £26,000. Curtis and the club announced that the remaining £23,924 would be donated to the LFC Foundation, which is setting up the grassroots program.
To date, over £250,000 have now been raised in support of the program. Much of the funds have come from supporters across the globe who have purchased Jota kits this season, which the club have passed those proceeds on to the LFC Foundation.
Chief executive of LFC Foundation, Matt Parish, stated that the support from Paul Curtis and others have made the creation of a program that will help honor and remember Diogo Jota in an everlasting way possible.
“The way supporters have come together to honor Diogo and Andre has been incredibly touching. Their generosity, combined with Paul’s decision to donate the extra crowdfunded money, have enabled us to create a programme that will have a lasting impact. We’re working very hard to get this grassroots football programme in Diogo’s name off the ground and are so thankful to everyone who has helped with a donation of any kind.”
