In the stresses of everyday life, it is easy to take what we have for granted. Whether that be work, family or Blackburn Rovers.

Supporting Rovers in the last 12 months has not been an easy task. It's been a tumultuous year which has tested fans' emotions to the limit.

As Pope John Paul II once said: "Out of all the unimportant things, football is the most important."

It may not always feel that way but the impact a football club has on their community can be as important as the result at 3pm on a Saturday. They are an asset to their towns and cities. They are a force for good, both on and off the field.

The goodwill of Blackburn Rovers' squad was felt in full force by the Latham family. Their little boy, Noah, who is four in November, was born with Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy, a severe brain injury caused by starvation of oxygen during birth.

Noah was born during the pandemic, which made everything more difficult. He spent the first week of his life in hospital, surrounded by his doting family.

An MRI showed damage to the Basal Ganglia, part of the brain which controls your body's movements. Noah's Dad, Craig, an Ewood Park Season Ticket Holder, explains how difficult the early weeks of his life were.

"It's been a journey to help find out how we can help Noah achieve his maximum potential, whatever that might be“ he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"I look back now and I don't know how we got through the early weeks and months. I think you go into fight or flight mode and you have to find a way.

"We couldn’t stay in the hospital with him for the first three weeks but then neither of us could be there at night. That was so difficult, I'm not saying it was wrong but you can imagine how difficult it was, especially when you’re going to home to a nursery that didn’t have Noah in it“

Noah came home but his first year was spent in and out of hospital. He was given various medications to try and find the best way to manage his symptoms.

In particular, Noah started struggling with seizures. It wasn't until Laura, Noah's mum, discovered an online community, that they became aware of the Keto diet. 

"You keep going, you don't realise how strong you can be until you have to do it. Once things settled down, he was suffering from seizures," Craig explains.

"We tried different medications and he was still having multiple seizures a day giving us no interaction, it was really tough. My wife, Laura, has been amazing with everything, from researching Noah’s conditions to finding support and information through communities on social media and that’s when we became aware of the Keto diet.”

"It was the sugars in the diet that were causing the seizures. We fought to put him on it and it changed his life. We get interaction from him, he laughs at things, he communicates.

"He needs a lot of entertaining because he can't do anything for himself but it's so rewarding to see him interact. Given everything Noah has to contend with he’s a happy little boy who always tries his best whatever we do with him”

So, where does Blackburn Rovers fit in? Well, throughout Noah's life, family, friends and work colleagues have been supportive of various fundraising projects.

Over £28,000 was raised as part of a 'Walk for Noah' campaign. That has helped the family to provide private physio for Noah, twice a week and no end of equipment that is used daily. 

The Lathams are currently raising money for an Innowalk. This mimics the movement of walking and is designed to help people stand up, build muscle and allow oxygen through the body.

Innowalks are not available as part of the NHS, they cost £26,000 which for most families, is a huge sum of money. With the help of Rovers, the Lathams are now moving ever closer to that target.

Through the help of a mutual friend, Davis Reader, Aynsley Pears was able to arrange a visit to Brockhall Training Centre for Noah and his family.

Several of the players donated, a signed shirt was presented as well as Sam Szmodics' boots, which will all go to auction to help raise further funds.

"I remember my wife sending me a link to his just giving page and noticed he'd donated £100. I said that's Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper!" Craig said.

"I knew he was North-East based, I put the two together. Aynsley got in touch and they sent a few videos offering their support.

"It was brilliant, we weren't expecting it. It certainly got me. It had a massive impact on the family, everyone was really excited.

"Even though some of them aren't massively interested in football. It was a very nice thing to happen, probably more for me than anyone! A few of the lads have donated too, Scott Wharton, Harry Leonard and Aynsley.

"We went down to training and we got shirts signed. Sam Szmodics signed his boots and it was so nice to go down and chat to them.

"We've done the raffle, which has raised £570. We've had a lot of donations which are appreciated so much”

"I'd never been down to Brockhall, it's been a while since I've met any players, I think the last time it was I offered Alan Shearer a sweet. They showed a massive interest, they didn't have to do it, it meant a lot.

"It was great to chat to them, and for them to show an interest. If it helps raise awareness and extra donations then it'll all add up."

Noah's story has been a reminder of how a community can come together. Children on their local street have raised £1,400 with a jumble sale, whilst the Lathams are talking to Supermarket giants Tesco about further fundraising ideas.

This is all to provide the Innowalker. With over £20,000 already raised, the family are within £5,000 of their final target.

"It mimics walking, things we take for granted. With him having cerebral palsy, his hips can be displaced. Thankfully, he's okay, but this would help with that and muscle growth," Craig said, relaying how the technology could transform his son's life.

"Something as simple as getting oxygen through his body better. It would be massive for him. We'll be getting a trial run with one in July and if we have the money we can then get one ordered so Noah can benefit from it everyday”

"These things aren't available on the NHS so it's all private. Any kind of donation really helps, it all gets accumulated.

"We'll always be fundraising too because he'll always need more care. Whatever donation it might be, hopefully, people can help."

You can follow Noah’s journey on either Facebook or Instagram at Noah Jack’s Journey.