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Friends' 30-mile walk in tribute to pal ends with emotional Everton FC tribute

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A group of teenage boys have completed an incredible 30-mile walk in memory of their friend who died aged just 15, receiving a touching welcome at the home of his beloved Everton Football Club.

The friends of Noah Johnson, from Horwich, set off from his grave at 5am on Thursday, October 29, determined to honour his memory and raise money for a charity close to his heart.

After almost 12 hours on their feet, the group arrived at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium at around 4.30pm, where Noah's family were waiting to greet them.

In an emotional tribute, the stadium's big screen displayed a photograph of Noah wearing his Everton shirt, alongside the words "Noah Johnson – Forever Everton".

His grandfather, Dameon Willett, said the family could not be prouder of the boys, who had shown extraordinary determination to complete the challenge.

He said: "Teenage boys get a lot of stick these days which gets highlighted everywhere.

"This is what teenage boys can do.

"All for a boy that meant so much to not only us as a family, but to so many other people."

Among those taking part was one teenager who had undergone surgery on his meniscus just four weeks earlier.

Despite wearing a knee brace, he refused to miss the tribute to his friend and managed to complete the entire walk alongside the others.

The group had set off in the early hours of the morning from Noah's resting place at Ridgmont Cemetery in Horwich, making their way towards Liverpool.

They were raising money for Destination Florida, a charity which provides holidays for children with serious illnesses and life-limiting conditions and which had supported Noah during his life.

The walk was particularly meaningful as Noah had been a passionate Everton supporter who lived and breathed football.

When the teenagers finally reached the stadium, they were reunited with Noah's family before being welcomed inside and given the opportunity to stand pitchside.

Photographs show the boys proudly wearing Destination Florida charity T-shirts and posing together on the edge of the pitch.

They also carried a specially made Everton flag bearing Noah's name and the number 16.

For the family, seeing the boys complete the challenge was another reminder of just how much Noah meant to his friends.

Dameon said: "This Thursday, a group of boys did something incredible.

"At 5am they set off on an unbelievable journey from Noah's grave to Hill Dickinson Stadium, home of Noah's beloved Everton Football Club."

He added: "We are so proud of each and every boy that were there and finished this incredible feat."

Noah died on June 11 following a sudden asthma attack, leaving his family, friends and the wider Horwich community devastated.

He had suffered from a rare and severe form of asthma and had received specialist treatment throughout his life.

Following his death, hundreds of mourners dressed in Everton blue to say their final goodbyes, while his friends and teammates formed a guard of honour at his funeral.

Ahead of the charity walk, his friend Oscar Levey, 15, explained why the group had decided to take on the challenge.

He said: "All of Noah's friends, including myself, are determined to leave a long-lasting legacy and raise some money for a charity that helped him constantly throughout his life, Destination Florida.

"Noah lived and breathed football and Everton was such a huge part of his life, we thought this would be a fitting way to raise money in his memory."

Fellow friend Zach O'Rourke previously spoke about how losing Noah had brought the group closer together.

He said: "As a group of young people, losing Noah has definitely brought us all closer together, but we still find it hard to let him go.

"Doing something in his name, doing something good helps us and keeps all of us closer to Noah."

Their determination saw them complete the journey together, despite the physical demands of walking almost 30 miles.

And for Noah's family, the teenagers' efforts have provided another touching tribute to a much-loved boy whose memory continues to bring people together.

Dameon has encouraged people to support the boys' fundraising efforts and donate to Destination Florida in Noah's memory.

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