Rotherham United Community Sports Trust were delighted to welcome Harry as mascot for our recent home fixture against Sheffield Wednesday. The Trust have an excellent relationship with the Free Kicks Foundation who kindly donate mascot packages to deserving local children.
The Free Kicks Foundation is a Peterborough based charity whose aim is to provide football-related activities for ill, bereaved and disadvantaged children, to give them a day to remember with their favourite football club. The charity is run on a voluntary basis by Steve Thorpe and Sam Downing. Steve's main responsibility is fundraising as well as using his media contacts to gain publicity. Sam is the Kick Co-ordinator, she liaises with clubs, hospitals and families to ensure that the children have a day to remember. In 2018, The Free Kicks Foundation are 11-years-old and have donated over 900 match day experiences to deserving children young adults.
Harry is one of our very talented players in our Ability Counts team, who train at Wickersley School and Sports College on a weekly basis. He began playing with the team around 4 years ago proving himself to be a dedicated and committed player throughout.
"When Harry first came to train with the team, due to an aspect of his disability, he struggled with his speech. Now, he has developed not only within his ability within goalkeeping, but also his confidence to command his area and talk to the other players. Harry had a fantastic day and his face lit up, especially when he entered the pitch as a mascot with a huge smile on his face! It is a day he will definitely will not forget and I would like to say a massive thank you to our friends at the Free Kicks Foundation for another fantastic day " added Jack Larissey, Disability Officer for Rotherham United Community Sports Trust.
Sam Downing from the Free Kicks Foundation said "It's always so rewarding to receive feedback after each of the mascot experiences we donate to the Trust and to hear of the impact the day has had on the recipient. We are delighted that Harry had a wonderful day and wish him all the best with his continued development, both on and off the pitch.
We have really enjoyed working with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust this year and will definitely be carrying the partnership on into the new 2019/20 season".