Our recent game against Peterborough saw the Gills welcome two very special mascots to the game.
Thanks to the tireless work of The Free Kicks Foundation we were able to offer two children the opportunity to become mascots for the day. 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.
Alicia Morton from Abbey Court Community Special School and Luke Berry from Danecourt School were selected by the schools.
On the day Alicia and Luke were welcomed at Main Reception where they changed into their very own Gills strip before heading in to the changing rooms to meet the players. Once in they were able to ask questions, collect autographs and of course pose for some photographs with the players. Then they moved on to a tour of a ground after which they made their way on to the pitch where they were able to put their footballing skills to the test alongside the first team as they warmed up.
While the warm-up continued we welcomed Steve Thorpe and Sam Downing, who run Free Kicks, pitchside to thank them for all their hard work.
Shortly before kick-off Alicia and Luke followed the players down the tunnel where they prepared to walk-out with the team. Alicia asked to walk out with Bradley Dack, while Luke asked to walk out with Stuart Nelson. Then to the cheers of the waiting Priestfield faithful they walked hand in hand with their players and posed for a few more photos before heading off to their seats to enjoy the game.
Thank you again to Sam and Steve of The Free Kicks Foundation and to find out more about the amazing work they do please visit their website www.freekicksfoundation.org or @FreeKicks. You can also help support the fantastic work they do by donating on line www.justgiving.com/freekicks.