Boy, 10, who is battling leukemia among inspiring stories of Emirates FA Cup final mascots
A number of youngsters have been picked to lead out the teams at Wembley on June 3.
A schoolboy battling leukemia will walk out at Wembley with his best friend as one of the mascots in the FA Cup final.
Koby Thomas, 10, from Alvechurch, Worcestershire, has been battling cancer and still found the strength to go and support his local team on their cup journey.
He was diagnosed during the teams’ pre-season and has continued his unwavering support of the club, as they reached the Second Round Proper for the first time in decades.
They were then later knocked out in a gutting loss against Forest Green.
The schoolboy is a long-time fan of the grassroots team and has been to many games with his best friend, Owen Jordan.
The pair have forged an incredible friendship that stems from their shared passion for football and have both played for the club’s youth teams since the under 7s.
The pair will get to experience the special moment with all the other mascots as they get to walk out at Wembley in front of tens of thousands of fans.
Working with The FA and non-league clubs, Emirates has travelled up and down the country to surprise unsuspecting fans.
Another inspiring story is that of sisters Sophia, 10, and Amelia Paviour, 12, from Eastbourne.
Their mum, Sarah, has been battling cancer and as a family, they have been going along to football matches to help lift spirits.
The sisters have been going to games all season, and their dad, Andrew, said the time spent at FA Cup games was a ‘great source of comfort for the family’.
The sisters’ journey began when their local side, Eastbourne Borough, released free tickets to matches over the summer school holidays.
The family started going to games and continued to support the team with the girls being made matchday mascots for their side’s FA Cup tie with Uxbridge in September.
In October the sisters also hosted a coffee morning that raised £1,200 for Macmillan Cancer Care and for St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
Subsequently, when Emirates put out the call for deserving young non-league supporters, Borough commercial manager Sian Ansell was quick to nominate Amelie and Sophia.
Eastbourne manager Danny Bloor said it was a ‘great story’ as he announced the sisters had been selected as mascots.
Mr Bloor said: ‘This is a great, great story in every sense.
‘We chuckle about how football is the most important thing in the world – but it isn’t. These amazing young ladies and their wonderful family matter more than any game of football.
‘Every Borough supporter will be watching their screens on June 3rd and cheering Amelie and Sophia with pride.’
The sisters are part of the number of mascots who will walk side by side with Manchester City and Manchester United players on June 3.
Wrexham fan, Mia Matthews, 10, will also be a mascot on the big day in June, and despite having Hollywood superstars in the stands at her local club she said it will be a dream come true.
Mia, who comes from a family of Wrexham fans, including her grandparents, have all enjoyed Wrexham’s journey in the Emirates FA Cup before they were knocked out by semi-finalists Sheffield United.
Her grandfather passed away earlier this season but despite their loss, the family continued to support the club.
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