Ahead of Sunday afternoon’s 30-0 defeat against Featherstone Rovers, Community Champions Harlow McGuiness and Nelly Gilmore delivered the match ball as part of the club’s commitment to National Deaf Awareness Week.
The pair were greeted by referee Liam Rush on the touchline just moments before kick-off.
Harlow McGuinness, just 20 months old, is the daughter of Cheryl McGuiness, Head of Foundation at the Vikings, and her husband Sean.
Shortly after Harlow was born, it was evident she was suffering with hearing problems, failing several tests while still in hospital.
The NHS were phenomenal. Three weeks later, Harlow had been diagnosed with Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
Cheryl said: “Our lives changed on 5th November 2021 – Harlow’s hearing aids were fitted and she could finally hear our voices for the very first time.
“Myself and Sean will never forget her huge smile that afternoon. The journey has been eventful so far, but with the fantastic support given to Harlow she continues to flourish every day!”
Meanwhile, Nelly Gilmore is the daughter of Vikings player Tom Gilmore and his partner, Nicole Whitely.
Nelly was born profoundly deaf, and at 10 months old, had an operation and was fitted with cochlear implants.
Now at three and a half years old, she is developing well, talking and listening. She goes to Birchfield pre-school and loves it!
Nelly still has plenty to develop and learn but has a fantastic team around her with support from Halton and Manchester.
Her best friend is Lottie Johnstone, Jordan Johnstone’s little girl, and they are both as thick as thieves!
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