‘Unforgettable experience’ for young cancer warriors

A new partnership has formed to give young people in Ayrshire affected by cancer an ‘unforgettable experience’ this coming season.

Free Kicks Foundation, who provide football focused activities for disadvantaged children across the UK, have reached out to Ayrshire Cancer Support and The Killie Community, partner charities of Kilmarnock FC, to create a ‘first-of-its-kind’ initiative in Scotland.

The partnership will mean local children and young people affected by cancer between the ages of five and fifteen will have the chance to play a special part in Kilmarnock Football Club’s home games as Mascots this season.

Steve Thorpe from Free Kicks Foundation said: “We are delighted to be working with The Killie Community and Ayrshire Cancer Support, to give local children a day to remember as mascots at Rugby Park. In our experience, mascot packages give children a chance to put any challenges they have been through to the back of their mind for a special day.”

Craig Blackwood, Director of Care Services at Ayrshire Cancer Support, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to local young people affected by or bereaved from cancer. The young people that access our support services are often experiencing the most challenging circumstances, and for them to be able to come along on the day and have fun will be hugely welcome. Thank you Free Kicks and The Killie Community!”

Ayrshire Cancer Support currently have 10 Mascot experiences up for grabs, on a first come, first services basis so to be in with a chance please contact Ayrshire Cancer Support on 01563 538008 or email cyp@ayrshirecs.org as soon as possible and the team will be in touch.

On the day,  families will arrive 90 minutes before the start of the game, have the opportunity to take part in some activities in the Killie Community’s Astro Room before getting changed into a Killie strip (which they get to take home!). Before the match they will get to go on the pitch with the players to have photographs taken with them.  They will then get to walk out of the tunnel with the team and onto the pitch for the pre match preparation and line up before joining their family in the stand to watch the game.

To find out more about Ayrshire Cancer Support, click here.