By Claire Stone, Darlington Supporters' Trust and Darlington Disabled Supporters' Group
A group of
disabled football supporters were invited to
be mascots at Darlington Football Club's
first home game of the season, which is
against Bury on Saturday August 15.
The group, aged nine to 14 were Karl Bailey,
Callan Adams, Martin Bailey, Callum Hunter,
Davina Hunter, Matthew Stanley and Charlie
Heslop and along with their parents/carers
are all part of the Darlington Aiming High
initiative.
Aiming High was launched last year by the Government to improve the opportunities and services for disabled children and their families, and to help disabled children to live ordinary lives.
The children all love football and thought it would be great if they could go along and watch a match. Darlington Football Club's disabled supporters group arranged for the children, their parents/carers and a number of students from Darlington's Queen Elizabeth College to meet manager Colin Todd and the players before watching the game. They then made it extra special by inviting the children to be match mascots.
Most of the children had never attended a football match before; however, some have detailed knowledge about the club and its history and can't believe that they are actually met the manager and the players as well as watch the game.
They all said they had a fantastic time and got plenty of autographs, a flag and a programme to remember the day by. They all want to give an extra big thank you to Anthony - from Football In The Community at the club - who made their day extra special and is a credit to the Darlington Football Club.
Darlington Council’s Aiming High for disabled children’s manager Jenny Lumley said “The children all love football and thought it would be great if they could go along and watch a match." The Darlington Disabled Supporters Group (part of the Darlington Supporters Trust) arranged for the children, their parents/carers and a number of students from Darlington’s Queen Elizabeth College to meet the Manager and the players before watching the game. They then made it extra special by inviting the children to be match mascots.”
Councillor Jenny Chapman, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for children and young people thanked the fans groups for the "lovely gesture". She added: "Most of the children have never attended a football match before; however, some have detailed knowledge about the club and its history and can’t believe that they are actually going to meet the manager and the players as well as watch the game."
Photo of the Aim High group on the pitch before the game, courtesy of Les Hodge/DFC
