Manchester City
Manchester City is set to honor one of its most unique and devoted supporters, Simba, a yellow Labrador who was the club’s only canine season ticket holder. Simba, an epilepsy seizure alert dog, played a crucial role in the life of his owner, Lynn Ratcliffe, by providing her with a 24-minute warning before every seizure, allowing her to live independently and attend Manchester City games. Sadly, Simba passed away at the age of 12 on December 22. In recognition of his unwavering loyalty, Manchester City will feature a special tribute to Simba in the matchday program for their upcoming game against Wolves at the Etihad Stadium, titled “Remembering Simba – A True-Blue Hero.”
Lynn Ratcliffe said: “I adored Simba. He was absolutely excellent at his job. Luckily, there was no gap in between her life-saving care, as Support Dogs provided her with her third dog, Barnby, and both dogs lived alongside each other as the best of canine pals. They could both be asleep and both jump off the chair at the same time to alert me to a smaller seizure. Simba was absolutely amazing – I absolutely adored that dog. I’m heartbroken. Barnby is missing him too.”
Simba’s contributions went beyond his life-saving abilities. For nine years, he accompanied Lynn to numerous Manchester City matches, witnessing the club’s historic achievements, including the domestic quadruple, the Treble, and the 100-point season. Simba’s presence allowed Lynn to be part of some of the most memorable moments in the club’s history.
In a touching gesture, Lynn plans to scatter Simba’s ashes in his favorite places, including her garden and Abney Hall Park. The club has also donated a signed Bernardo Silva shirt, which Lynn will raffle at her Cheadle-based Manchester City supporters’ club to raise funds for Support Dogs, the charity that trained Simba. This organization continues to provide specialist assistance dogs to help autistic children and adults with physical disabilities.
Manchester City’s tribute to Simba highlights the profound impact he had on Lynn’s life and the club’s community. The legacy of this remarkable dog will be remembered as a testament to the bond between humans and their canine companions.
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