BREAKING NEWS: After visiting St. Oswald’s Hospice, a Newcastle United fan from South Tyneside gets an autograph tattoo from Kieran Trippier.
During his stay at St Oswald’su Hospice, Kieran Trippier made a lasting impression on a South Tyneside fan—quite literally.
The Newcastle United player visited the hospice last month and got to know the children, young adults, families, employees, and volunteers. He was just named as an official Charity Ambassador of St. Oswald’s Hospice Children and Young Adults Service.
For everyone, Trippier autographed photos and mementos, such as an England and Newcastle United shirt that is presently being raffled off to raise money for the hospice.
However, 24-year-old Ewan Barry from Jarrow made an odd request of the football player during his visit: he wanted Trippier to sign his arm so that he could have it tattooed as a lasting memento of their encounter.
Since 2011, Ewan has been coming to St Oswald’s for monthly short holidays. He has Friedrich Ataxia, a rare genetic condition that gradually damages the nerve system. Both Ewan’s speech and mobility are impacted by the illness.
Football is Ewan’s first love and what he refers to as his “second life.” He enjoys playing Xbox in the Young Adults Lounge, which is specifically for individuals between the ages of 18 and 25, and hanging out with friends while at the hospice.
For the past 12 years, Ewan has had a season ticket at his beloved Newcastle United, and he and his two brothers have attended every home game. “Watching the games brightens my weekend,” Ewan exclaimed.
The devoted fan learned that he would be meeting Kieran, so he came up with a plan to enhance the Newcastle United-themed tattoo that he had in January 2023.
When the England and Newcastle United player told Ewan he wanted to make the signing of his arm an enduring remembrance, Ewan acknowledges that at first the player was hesitant to do so. “Are you sure?’ Kielan kept asking me,” he clarified. I was stating, “Yes, without a doubt.” He was eager to do it as soon as he saw I was serious.
Shortly after the football player departed from St. Oswald’s Hospice, Ewan headed to a nearby tattoo parlor.
The 24-year-old believes that his new tattoo might also serve as a lucky charm for his squad, which has seen some success since getting it.
“I wasn’t sure if the Newcastle United player would do it when I heard Ewan was planning to ask Kieran to sign his arm so he could get it as a tattoo,” stated Holly Smith, Acting Matron at St. Oswald’s Hospice Children and Young Adults Service. I’ve heard that Kieran was initially taken aback by the request, but the finished tattoo is incredible.
“Ewan is an avid football fan who frequently discusses Newcastle United.” His father will either pick him up or drive him to St. James’ Park if there is a match going on while he is in the hospice. We can also take Ewan to the pub to watch them play if it’s an away game.
It’s great that he will always have a memento of his encounter with his hero. Ewan has been showing off his new tattoo to everyone at the hospice because he loves it.
The St. Oswald’s Hospice Children and Young Adults Service is holding a raffle to commemorate the introduction of Kieran Trippier as an official Charity Ambassador. Two football shirts, both worn and autographed by the England and Newcastle United player, will be up for grabs.
You can enter to win one of the two football shirts for just £1 per ticket, but act quickly—the contest ends at midnight on Sunday, February 25.
One shirt is a Newcastle United Premier League 2023–24 season shirt that was worn on Saturday, January 13, 2024, during the Newcastle vs. Manchester City home game at St. James’ Park. The other is an England shirt that Kieran donned on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, during the 150th Anniversary Heritage Friendly Match against Scotland at Hampden Park. Kieran has autographed both shirts.
For a football enthusiast who supports Newcastle United or England, these collectible goods would be the ideal present.
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