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Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard has made a personal donation of £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group.

Gerrard, whose 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley was the youngest of the 96 supporters who died in the 1989 tragedy, has made the generous gesture ahead of tonight’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.

The 33-year-old agreed for the donation to be made public in order to remind people that the families are still campaigning in the long battle for justice.

“I just think I’m in a position to do it,” Gerrard said.

“I think it’s a nice gesture and also with the connection I’ve got to Hillsborough, with my own family, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while.

“I think the timing’s right and having spoken to the club I’ve decided to do it now.

“It had been in the media a lot so I didn’t think it was needed where I had to step in and keep it on everyone’s lips and in everyone’s minds.

“But now it’s gone a little bit quiet over the last couple of weeks, I think the timing’s really good to get it back out there – sending another message out about how much we really want this justice.”

As Merseyside’s arch rivals prepare to face each other in a crucial showdown at Anfield, Gerrard paid tribute to Everton and their fans for the support they continue to provide their neighbours over Hillsborough.

“I think their show of support has been there since the tragedy happened,” he added.

“But alongside the gesture I am making, I and every other Liverpool fan can only thank the Evertonians for their support.

“I’m not saying that to try and get in any Everton fans’ good books because I understand my own personal rivalry with them. But it’s there for everyone to see – the support they’ve given us which is very touching.” Hillsborough Family Support Group chair Margaret Aspinall admits Gerrard’s donation will make a huge difference.

“It’s a wonderful gesture by Steven and we cannot thank him enough,” she said.

“It’s a lot of money he has donated and it will help all the families a great deal with our work.

“It’s another sign of how good the people of Merseyside are – all they have done for us and continue to do.

“The club itself has been a great help to the Hillsborough Family Support Group and we’ve had a lot of support from the players as well. This money will help with the running costs of our office and the travel expenses of the meetings and talks we attend up and down the country.”