Alfie Evans: Everton mark year since toddler's death
Friends and well-wishers of Alfie Evans held a candlelit vigil at Everton's stadium a year after his death.
The 23-month-old who had a degenerative brain condition was at the centre of a legal battle over a decision by doctors to withdraw life support. During the vigil, Everton lit up a stand and the statue of Dixie Dean in honour of the young fan. The club is supporting plans by Alfie's parents to set up a charitable foundation in his name. His father Tom Evans, a lifelong Everton supporter, said Alfie was a "special boy" and "always will be". Writing on the Alfie's Army Facebook page, Mr Evans said he and his mother miss Alfie "every day and talk about him to his little brother". "We miss your touch, your kisses, our cuddles, everything about you we miss and always will." The Sir Philip Carter Park Stand was lit up in blue and purple during the vigil as well-wishers gathered around the Dixie Dean statue. Alfie, who was born in May 2016, was admitted to hospital in the following December after suffering seizures. Tests revealed that Alfie had the extremely rare brain condition GABA-transaminase deficiency caused by a faulty gene from each parent. Alder Hey Hospital said scans showed "catastrophic degradation of his brain tissue", adding that further treatment was not only "futile" but also "unkind and inhumane". His parents, Tom Evans and Kate James lost all legal challenges to a court ruling that allowed the hospital to withdraw ventilation. Their legal campaign attracted widespread attention and also support from Pope Francis, who asked that "their desire to seek new forms of treatment may be granted". Alfie died on 28 April 2018, just short of his second birthday. The couple have recently had another baby boy.