Sean Cox has addressed the public for the first time since his vicious assault outside Anfield last year in a heartwarming video.
Cox, who was seriously injured last April after he was attacked by AS Roma supporters before Liverpool's Champions League semi-final tie outside Anfield said: "Thank you" and gave a thumbs up to everybody who has helped with fundraising since his attack.
In a tweet, the Sean Cox Rehabilitation Fund said: "Bake sale, bag pack or bingo.
"If you are one of the thousands who organised/attended a fundraiser to #supportsean , Sean Cox has this message for you."
The dad of three, who was speaking ahead of Friday's Liverpool and Ireland legends clash in his honour, suffered serious head injuries in the attack.
The 54-year-old will make his first public appearance in Friday's Aviva Stadium charity match as he marks a milestone in his rehabilitation.
In Friday's game, Reds icon Kenny Dalglish will manage a Liverpool side which will be captained by Ian Rush, while current Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy will lead the Irish side captained by Robbie Keane.
Niall Quinn, John Aldridge, Robbie Fowler and many more legends of the sport will also be taking part in the event.
And Sean's wife, Martina Cox said his time in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) at Dun Laoghaire, Dublin will come to an end in June.
She said: “He’s doing okay considering the horrific injuries that he has.
“It’s a very slow progress but he is making progress and obviously the most progress he has actually made has been since he went to the rehabilitation centre in October.
“That’s really important that he gets the level of rehab and he’s going to need that for a long time going forward.
“The end of June he’s finished. What we are looking at now is rehab facilities in the UK because unfortunately in Ireland there isn’t anything else after the NRH which is shameful.
“I am currently looking into that so when we find the best fit for Sean I’m going to move over there.
“He will probably be over there between three to four months depending on the programme that they give him.
“Sean could do with being there (NRH) for another year but unfortunately you only get a certain amount of time so after the NRH we have to fund his rehabilitation in the UK.”
