TWO lucky youngsters received a late festive present after winning the chance to be a Burton Albion mascot on December 28.
The Brewers wanted to make a Christmas dream come true for a deserving fan and asked for nominations for a matchday mascot at the Swindon home game, but the club was so pleased with the response it decided to award two prizes.
Lucas Robson-Howell, 8, and Keiron Whetton, 7, were chosen as the winners and received the full mascot package, worth £200, including a chance to lead the team out, to meet the Brewers players and to play on the Pirelli Stadium pitch prior to kick off.
Lucas was nominated by his uncle Curtis Robson, who said: “When he was born he had a problem with his foot and was told he would probably never be able to play sport at school.
“He’s gone through school having to have wheelchairs, specially-made boots and a cast on his leg. The thing that makes him so deserving is that he never gave up and made himself be able to play sport and join in. He’s a really special lad and his determination is unbelievable.”
Meanwhile, Kieron was nominated by his mum Samantha Phillips, who said: “When my son was born he was starved off oxygen, leaving him with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. But he has not let this hold him back. He has defied all the odds and is able to walk short distances and attend mainstream school. He always has a smile on his face and never lets his condition get him down.”
The mascot package prizes were donated by Burton Albion FC and the Free Kicks Foundation – a charity whose aim is to provide football-related activities for ill, bereaved and disadvantaged children.
Burton Albion still has mascot packages available to buy for the Chesterfield (Friday, February 12) and Walsall (Saturday, February 27) games.
The offer is open exclusively to youngsters who are already Junior Brewers or who sign up to be a Junior Brewer before becoming a mascot.
Membership of the Junior Brewers offers our young supporters exclusive perks – including competitions, Christmas and Easter parties and a Junior Brewers Day, where young fans can meet the players and enjoy a behind the scenes ground tour.
It only costs £15 a year to join and that opens up the chance to be a match day mascot. The mascot package is a memorable experience that the Junior Brewers will treasure and will be enjoyed by the whole family.
The 2015/16 season package is designed to make the experience a great day out for the family.
It includes:
Hospitality for two adults plus one mascot ticket with a three-course meal;
A money-can’t-buy dressing room meet and greet experience with Albion’s star players;
A chance to play on the pitch before the game;
A pre-match photo with the captains and officials;
A mention in the matchday programme, with a copy to take home.
The package costs £200.
For more information on mascot packages or becoming a Junior Brewer call 01283 565938 or email office@burtonalbionfc.co.uk.