Two local children have the fantastic opportunity to become mascots for the day
Gillingham Football Club has invited two special children to join our mascots for Saturday's match against Peterborough at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium, thanks to the Free Kicks Foundation.
The Free Kicks Foundation aims to provide football-related activities for ill, bereaved and disadvantaged children, to give them a day to remember with their favourite football club. The Peterborough-based charity is run on a voluntary basis by Steve Thorpe and Sam Downing.
Thanks to the tireless work of the Free Kicks Foundation, we are able to offer two local children the opportunity to become mascots for the day at this Saturday’s home game.
Our first mascot, Josh, attends Bradfields Academy in Chatham. He was chosen as a worthy winner for the opportunity by his school’s PE department, because of his fantastic work in school and his love of football. Six-year old Koko from Abbey Court School, Rochester, will also be joining us, having been the lucky winner of a prize ballot at the school for the opportunity.
The boys and their family will be treated to behind-the-scenes access to the stadium, as well as meeting the Gills team and leading them out for kick-off. Once the match is underway, they can then take their seats to enjoy the game.
Our mascots’ visit coincides with our Match of Action on Saturday supporting Level Playing Field. This annual initiative aims to celebrate access and inclusion for disabled sports fans across England and Wales. During this year’s campaign, the Gills have been joining together with sports clubs, fans and organisations across England and Wales to celebrate the ‘Game Changers’ who make a difference for disabled football fans, and to promote a message of access and inclusion for all. You can find out more here.
We hope that our two mascots will enjoy their experience, and we look forward to welcoming them and their families on Saturday!
Thank you again to Sam and Steve of the Free Kicks Foundation for providing another wonderful opportunity for some special supporters, and to Bradfields Academy and Abbey Court School for nominating the boys.
To find out more about the Free Kicks Foundation, visit www.freekicksfoundation.org, or find them on Twitter @FreeKicks. You can also help to support the fantastic work they do by donating online at www.justgiving.com/freekicks.
For more information about Level Playing Field (LPF), please visit www.levelplayingfield.org.uk, email info@levelplayingfield.org.uk, or call 0208 621 2403.