A six-year-old has written to a football club saying he is unable to go to games because his mum can’t afford food – but included a 26p gift for his favourite player.
The lad – who just called himself Joe – sent in a note on a bit of torn paper to Swindon Town FC.
It had three coins a 20p, 5p and 1p taped on at the bottom.
The letter read: “Mummy doesn’t have any money to come to Swindon games because she has no money for food and has to pay for my dinner at school.
“I like Swindon Town Harry McKirdy. I will come one day.”
Harry McKirdy plays as a forward for the League Two side.
Since receiving the letter, the Swindon Town FC Twitter account @Official_STFC posted last night (Feb 15) at 4:55pm:
“📢 | We have received this letter from Town fan Joe, aged 6 and a half.
“We’d really love to get in touch with Joe, but we don’t have a return address.
“If anyone recognises the writing or thinks they know who Joe is, please email supporters@swindontownfc.co.uk #STFC”
There have been over 5,000 likes and thousands of comments showing their support for Joe and his mum.
@thomaswhartley wrote: “I can see there are lots of offers here for Joe and his mum to come to a game.
“So if you manage to find Joe I’d like to pay for a weeks worth of food shopping for them.
“Please keep us informed.”
A fundraiser has now been launched to get Joe to Swindon.
The fundraiser, launched by Mark Bevan, has already surpassed its £1,000 target – and has raised £1,124.
Mark wrote on the Fundraiser: “Swindon Town FC have been contacted by a young boy called Joe who unfortunately doesn’t have the privileges of being able to attend football matches!
“This is where football comes together.
“Lets all get together and fund for Joe & his family to attend a game & for Joe to be mascot for the day giving him an experience for life!
“Just to confirm that 100% of these proceeds will go to the club to support Joe & his family”.
You can visit the fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thisisforjoe