Leading UK children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives ran the afternoon of memory-making for seriously ill children.
Over 100 children and their families, as well as bereaved parents and siblings were welcomed to the home of English football in the first ever “play on the pitch” charity event at Wembley Stadium.
Together for Short Lives partnered with energy drink provider Carabao to give those affected by life-limiting conditions the opportunity to visit the players’ dressing rooms, take pictures with the FA cup and even play games and score penalties on the pitch.
“Many of us dream about walking out that tunnel and heading out onto the hallowed Wembley turf. Today, we made that happen for some truly remarkable children and young people,” said Nick Carroll, CEO of Together for Short Lives.
He added: “In more than a century of history, this is the first time that Wembley has opened its doors to seriously ill children and families in this way.
“For some of the children that have life-threatening or limiting illnesses they might have years, months, weeks. It’s a really special thing to get the chance to do something like this.”
The young people who were invited by Together for Short Lives shared their thoughts on the experience.
“Actually being on the pitch is an amazing experience, you don’t really get another chance to do that,” said Liam Ashton, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Another attendee, nine-year-old Stanley Batten from Essex has terminal brain cancer and is a massive football fan. He said: “When we came onto the pitch, I just couldn’t believe it. Seeing where the players get ready, walking up the tunnel and getting to score a goal with my dad and sister was amazing. We had the best day, and I’ll never forget it.”
“I’m made up to be given the opportunity,” said Luke Hill, who also has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Luke added he was happy that the afternoon would raise awareness for the work of palliative care charities.
Together for Short Lives’ Nick Carroll said he hoped more events like this would help raise more awareness about these sensitive issues. He said: “Culturally we’re not very good at talking about serious illnesses, death and dying.
“Over the last couple of months with the assisted dying bill going through the House of Commons and some hospices having to cut back their services, more than ever we’re in the public eye and the conversations are beginning to happen.”
The event at Wembley came as part of Carabao’s recent partnership with Together for Short Lives and the UK’s 54 children’s hospices. Additionally, Carabao has donated thousands of football tickets to help seriously ill children attend their first ever football game over the past year.
