Get the Echo newsletter - it has never been more important to stay informed Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A MAN who has been in a hospice for 30 years after he was left paralysed by a hit-and-run driver was paid a birthday visit by LFC manager Kenny Dalglish.

Peter Halligan, from Old Swan, marked his 50th birthday with his family at a party at Jospice in Thornton when the Liverpool FC manager turned up as a surprise guest.

Keen Liverpool fan Peter was left for dead in St Oswald’s Street, Old Swan, after being hit just before his 20th birthday and still remains in a vegetative state.

Reds boss Kenny was among the Liverpool team at the time who made a tape in the hope their messages would help him.

Peter can’t move or acknowledge people but it is believed he can hear noise.

He was in hospital for almost five months and almost died four times after the hit-and-run.

Peter, who is originally from Liverpool, has since been cared for at Jospice after its founder, Father Francis O’Leary, brought him to the facility and his family tries to visit him every day.

His brother Stephen, 52, said: “Jospice have looked after him ever since. He’s in the most wonderful room.

“We don’t actually know what’s going on in his brain.

Our family has a lot of faith. We just think what will be will be.”

Jospice, who have cared for Peter ever since, organised the visit by Kenny, who presented him with a personalised shirt which was signed by the Liverpool team.

Many family members attended the party to celebrate his birthday.

Peter’s brother Stephen said the family, who are all avid Liverpool supporters, were in “awe” when the Liverpool FC manager turned up.

He said: “He was just superb.

“Kenny turned up and had a shirt done for him.

“We couldn’t believe it. It was just mad. We didn’t even know he was going to turn up and he got it done himself.

“We’re framing the shirt to put up in Peter’s room. It’s Jospice, they just keep surprising us.”

Kenny’s visit followed a visit earlier this year by former Reds player Phil Thompson.

Pat Murphy, director of fundraising at Jospice, said: “We wanted to do something special for Peter’s 50th with him being here so long. “Caring for the family as well as the patients is part and parcel of what we do at Jospice.“The staff have cared for Peter for many years and he’s part of the Jospice family. Kenny was great and he had a chat with the family.”

“He is a busy guy and he made an effort to come. A big thank you to him for the support he gave us.”