YOUNGSTER Preston Ward was given the opportunity of a lifetime on Saturday, getting the chance to lead out The Brewers through the help of the Free Kicks Foundation.
Following a tough time in recent years, six year old Preston, who's favourite Brewers player is Joe Sbarra, was given the chance to be mascot following discussions between the charity and the football club.
The Free Kicks Foundation raise money to give deserving children and adults days out at football. In 2018 they celebrated eleven years since their launch.
Since Free Kicks started, they have taken over 800 deserving children and young adults to matches all over the country. The majority of children they work with go along to the matches as Team Mascots.
This generally involves a tour of the ground, a new kit, visiting the players in the dressing rooms, a kick-about on the pitch and leading the team out ahead of kick-off. Alternatively they provide hospitality packages and other experiences at every club in the country.
Ian North, Chief Executive of the Harvey Girls charity, worked with Burton Albion and the Free Kicks Foundation to help provide Preston with the experience, said: "I have never seen him (Preston) so happy and believe me he has had a tough few years."
Matt Hancock, Head of Burton Albion Community Trust, said: "I'm delighted that we could work with both of the charities to give Preston this experience.
"It's fantastic that there's organisations out there to give people who wouldn't usually get these types of opportunities, to actually do so and create a memory of a lifetime."