After finding out I had a 26cm Gist (gastro intestinal stromal tumour) in 2016 my life was understandably turned upside down. I had only been married 6 months and all I could think about was my wife and our 4 children. For them I dug in, took up a positive outlook and tried to carry keep life as normal as I could for the kids.
One of the things me and the boys Ollie and Freddie loved to do was watch our favourite team, Sheffield Wednesday FC. I had seen a campaign from Macmillan asking for people showing pictures of them living positively with cancer and, as it was something I believed in, I sent them a picture of me and the boys at a SWFC game. It got a good response online including a reply from Free Kicks Foundation asking for me to contact them as they would like to give the boys a day to remember.
The next day I contacted Sam and she told me they wanted to give the boys a day out as mascots at a SWFC game…when I told the boys they nearly burst with excitement!!! The Hull City game was the chosen game and what a day it was!! Free Kicks Foundation bought new kits for the boys and sent them on to us for the boys to arrive in and on the day we arranged to meet Sam and Steve at the ground. They presented the boys with gift bags and even a signed George Boyd shirt as he is an ambassador for their charity. We then got a tour of the ground and a meal for all the family up in the south stand, the boys got photos in the changing rooms and with their favourite players before heading out onto the pitch for a kick around. They then got to lead out the teams with their favourite players and the smiles on their faces was priceless. Just before kick-off George Boyd came over to us all and took the time to have a quick chat which was a class touch and then we were led up into the stand to enjoy the game in the posh seats.
I was amazed by the generosity of Free Kicks Foundation and for them to think of the boys and give them a day they will never forget made it such an emotional experience for us all. I can’t thank Sam and Steve enough and they continue to follow my story 2 years later. Thankfully after 2 surgeries and 3 years of chemo medication I am currently cancer free and me and the boys continue to support the mighty Owls, dreaming of seeing the day they return to the premier league. We also now keep an eye out every week for our second team Peterborough and hope they win for our new found friends.
I can never thank them enough.
Lee