Newcastle’s injured center-back Mike Williamson was the guest of honor at the Bravehearts of the North East awards ceremony yesterday at St. James’ Park.
Mike Williamson with one of the brave young souls
More than 30 children attended St. James’ Park yesterday to be presented with bravery awards by Mike Williamson and BBC Look North’s Carol Malia.
The youngsters have battled against some serious illnesses over the last few years, and have rightly been rewarded for the tremendous courage they have shown.
Unless you are in their shoes, it’s really difficult to fully appreciate just how courageous these children have been, and it’s so heart warming.
Mike is a top professional at the club, and was a good choice to represent the Newcastle club, and this is what he said after the ceremonies, which took place in the Bamburgh Suite:
“It was really uplifting for me to be here this afternoon,”
“I’ve got a bit of a sore ankle but what these children have gone through, and will continue to go through, is something else.
“Their bravery astounded me and made me feel very humble. Each and every one of them was a hero in my eyes and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
Dave Hodgkins is the Chairman of the Bravehearts committee and he had this to say:
“It was a tremendous afternoon for all the children, made even more memorable by Mike being in attendance.”
“He was terrific with the children and brought a smile to all their faces.”
“We are very grateful for Newcastle United’s support of this event and wish them well for the remainder of the season.”
It’s just great to see Newcastle doing good things like this in the community, and it’s exactly the role they should be playing.
My heart goes out to all these children in their difficulties and challenges, and they show more courage than some of us can ever muster, and that’s only one reason they are so inspiring.
God bless them all.
163 comments so far
WWJBD
Nov 9, 2011 at 7:44 PM
Comment #41However now if St James gets renamed then Wayne Bridge better watch his damn back cos I’ll be on it like a car bonnet
GeordieGerman
Nov 9, 2011 at 7:47 PM
Comment #42Who believes cwarro?
Indian Magpie
Nov 9, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Comment #43i dont but, still thought shd let u all know
GeordieToon89
Nov 9, 2011 at 8:01 PM
Comment #44If he pays £200million for the privilege to to name it then thats partially acceptable but ad still be gathering people for a manhunt
Sir Alan
Nov 9, 2011 at 8:21 PM
Comment #45Off topic but i have a bad feeling that Marveaux will be a 10-15 games a season man due to injury! Hope i’m wrong though. Has anyone got his stats for previous seasons? I.e injury records or appearances made.
connor_nufc
Nov 9, 2011 at 8:25 PM
Comment #46nufcfans on twitter says hes been told be a very reliable source that st james park getting renamed sports direct arena
Sir Alan
Nov 9, 2011 at 8:27 PM
Comment #47looks like he had a cracking season 2 seasons ago with 12 goals i think. I do have high hopes for this guy and i think him Ben Arfa and Cabaye will be unreal together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C78FXJR_B8&feature=related
GeordieCoaster
Nov 9, 2011 at 8:37 PM
Comment #48How many “Reliable Sources” have we had in the past?
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 8:47 PM
Comment #49We put up new “St James Park” letters a few weeks ago haha.
That would seem fairly pointless.
At the end of the day, it’s modern football. If Ashley is going to pay market value, then it’ll clear our debt. I would imagine that “St James Park” will remain in some way though. No way would he scrap the history.
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 8:57 PM
Comment #50Is anyone, anywhere, EVER going to refer to it as anything but St James’ Park?
That is never going to happen.
Scottishtoon95
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:06 PM
Comment #51anyone else listening to the newcastle thing on bbc5 live?
MacToon
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:19 PM
Comment #52Is there a press conference tomorrow? Anyone know and what it’s about?
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:25 PM
Comment #53MacToon
Not heard the latest batch of mental rumours?
MacToon
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:28 PM
Comment #54Just heard that news has leaked out about the stadium through FB etc. before it was official and that there’s a confernce for tomorrow now!
Hopefully all bo77oc3s
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:30 PM
Comment #55Indeed. Do hope it’s all rubbish, but at the end of the day what does it matter. No one is ever going to refer to it as anything except St James’ Park.
nimo
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:36 PM
Comment #56xould call it what ever they like it will always st. james park to me
Jail for Ashley
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:37 PM
Comment #57Banter police have been out in force on the Yohan Cabaye story
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:40 PM
Comment #58Jail
What story?
Jail for Ashley
Nov 9, 2011 at 9:47 PM
Comment #59The one about Man utd
Marty-Toon
Nov 9, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Comment #60Tis sad to see kids being sick and great that pro footballers take time for their daily wealthy lives and think of those little ones fighting for their lives so early on in life.
Fair play Willo 🙂
On another subject ie manure wantin our best players,I hope we can keep em and watch our lads have fun on the pitch and close the gap.
As someone else pointed out earlier,it’s not always easy to find Gems like we have so u just canny sell n expect someone as good appear overnight on the cheap.
Couple of signings will help strengthen and loans for the young lads for experience will help on the run in and for next season.
Howay
Toon Tang
Nov 9, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Comment #61http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15666185.stm
shearer writes about us with some stats on defending as well
G
Nov 9, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Comment #62Regarding the press conference tomorrow, a guy who is very rarely wrong reckons its about either Guthrie or Colo’s new contract. This renaming malarkey is b***ocks from last year surely? Press have no negative publicity so want to invent some?
Thump
Nov 9, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Comment #63You lads know what I think about #classiccollin but…
http://nufc.com/
@ToonDownSouth: What “St James Park” signage? They put up new “Newcastle United” signage but I don’t remember anything to do with that.
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Comment #64Yeah that’s what I meant Thump. I’ve been doing exams all day, doing my head in (;
But yeah. Seems like it’s not a wind up after all. *Self Destruct*
Thump
Nov 9, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Comment #65Oh wait, do you mean the hoarding on the Gallowgate, TDS? I thought that just said “Sports Direct” iirc.
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 10:58 PM
Comment #66I remember that quote from Lambias actually. Brilliant.
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Comment #67No, I mean the huge letters that were bizarrely taken down, auctioned off for charity, and then replaced with shiny SD signs. Just got my wires crossed.
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Comment #68Surely, SURELY Sports Direct are going to have to pay for this… It would be ludicrous to expect fans accept it if they can’t even spin the “generating a lot of much needed income” line…
Thump
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Comment #69Sorry lol forgot to refresh before posting.
I’m pretty sure he also said something to that effect in the fan questions not so long ago.
ToonDownSouth
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Comment #70Just hoping they try and dampen the blow by announcing a new contract for Colo at the same time haha.
Thump
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Comment #71I reckon it’ll probably be something like “Sports Direct Arena @ St James’ Park” tbh.
Feeling considerably less confident now: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/EXCLUSIVE-Newcastle-s-St-James-Park-stadium-renamed-the-Sports-Direct-Arena-as-Mike-Ashley-ends-120-years-of-history-article828848.html
Thump
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:12 PM
Comment #72http://twitpic.com/7cjnzl
Y’know when you start to get angry? Like, Hulk smash kind of angry?
Yep.
Billy1985
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Comment #73the new signs in st james park still have newcastle united along with sports direct on so i dont understand why you’s are mentioning the signs they took down and replaced because newcastle united got put back as brand new……..if he does rename the club the st james park lettering will be replaced from the corner where its at on the outside of the ground. plus its been sports direct.com @st james park for ages but its just st james park and it will always be that
LewSpi
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Comment #74Wow, I mean I think the man literally wants to be murdered. Just read that mirror article and it seems it’s happening. The St James Park has officially gone and it’s going to be Sports Direct Arena. Apparently its so ticket prices can be kept low, a pathetic attempt at worming their way out of another ‘pro – sports direct, against – Newcastle united’ move.
coccolini
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Comment #75I’m afraid its true! On the back page of every single newspaper tomorrow.
Thump
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:20 PM
Comment #76Iwantcurlyhair2 IWantCurlyHair2™
by NUFCThreatLevel
I really wish I had bought these for Letters from the old roof to express what I think of Mike Ashley Right Now #Nufc pic.twitter.com/Jw5SpeFK
Thump
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Comment #77@LewSpi: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Simon-Bird-on-Newcastle-naming-row-Why-Mike-Ashley-and-Derek-Llambias-have-scrapped-St-James-Park-for-the-Sports-Direct-Arena-article828864.html
United MD Derek Llambias last night explained: “We must make this Club financially self-sufficient in order to deliver that success.
“To grow sustainably and allow us to invest in our future, we will need to rely increasingly on commercial income. When we launched our plans at the end of 2009, we invited sponsors to attach their brand to St James’ Park.
“However it has become clear that in order to make the proposition as commercially attractive as possible, a potential sponsor must be given the opportunity to fully re-brand the stadium.”
Ugh.
davybtoon
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Comment #78Who cares for god sake it hasn’t been called st James for 2years now
Thump
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Comment #79Whoops forgot to copy the link on that Twitter pic: http://t.co/Jw5SpeFK
Louis583
Nov 9, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Comment #80It could be changed soon enough to something less vulgar, since the Northern Rock sponsorship runs out soon making way for another company to buy the stadium and shirt rights..