Saturday 16 September will be a day that young West Ham United fan Charlie always remembers.
Charlie, who is undergoing treatment for the rare cancer Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, led the Hammers out alongside Kurt Zouma as a mascot for the Premier League encounter with Manchester City as part of our Like My Dreams initiative.
In partnership with our Official Technical Partner Umbro, Charlie enjoyed the chance to meet his Hammers heroes – including his favourite player Jarrod Bowen, James-Ward Prowse and Thilo Kehrer, received a bag of Umbro goodies from Saïd Benrahma, and enjoyed the experience of cheering the Hammers on from the stands with his family.
The Northamptonshire teenager was thrilled to have the chance to act as mascot for his beloved Hammers, as his dad Luke told West Ham TV.
"His eyes lit up [when he found out about the day], Luke said. “We, as a family, have never seen a live football match, so this is new to Charlie and us as well.
“He’s got a very rare cancer, I think there are only about 50 cases in the UK a year. He needs something to look forward to for his morale. You’ve got to have your good days to keep your spirits up.”
Charlie’s coach at his local club, Weedon FC, Eddie, explained how football plays such a central role for the 13-year-old.
“I knew him before he played for the team because his dad Luke is a friend of mine from the village,” he said. “He’s the sort of kid you don’t forget – he’s always got a smile on his face and he’s very much a cheeky Charlie, as the name fits him.
“If there’s a ball of any description, football, rugby ball, tennis ball, cricket ball, whatever, he’d have a go and he’d be down the local park playing. He’s a wonderful kid.
“Both his football club and the rugby club have really rallied round him and we’re trying to do everything we can to keep a smile on his face.
“He’s just so gobsmacked that people would do this for him.”
Watch Charlie's story in the video player above.