Youngsters enjoy special day at St James Park
Thanks to the help of a group of kind and generous sponsors – as well as charity CLIC Sargent – Exeter City were able to provide fun-filled day for children and young people with cancer.The Grecians may only have drawn with Morecambe last weekend, but it did not stop families from CLIC Sargent enjoying a fun-filled match day, which was made possible by the help of Bishops Printers, Underhills Solicitors, Heavitree Brewery, Allparts South West, RGB Building Supplies, Cardens Estate Agents, Lloyds Kitchen, St Austell Brewery, Shauls Bakery and First Great Western.
CLIC Sargent is the leading cancer charity for children and young people. They provide clinical, practical, emotional and financial support for children and young people with cancer, and their families. CLIC Sargent have been there from the point of diagnosis for the group of families from Devon who were invited to St James Park on Saturday for a VIP match day experience.
Ann Howard, whose son is currently being supported by CLIC Sargent, said: “The boys had a great day and have not stopped telling everyone about it.”
The families had a tour of the stadium including the dressing rooms, met the Exeter City FC players for photos and autographs over lunch and were entertained by a magician, before taking their seats for the big game.
During the half time intervals the children and young people supported by CLIC Sargent, along with their siblings, took to the pitch for a football skills game organised by the Exeter City Football in the Community coaches. There were also lucky winners of a family dinner at Lloyds Kitchen and return train tickets and chocolate sweets from First Great Western and all the soft drinks were courtesy of St Austell Brewery.
There was even time for the presentation of a beautiful birthday cake made and donated by Shauls Bakery, to young Barnaby, who was part of the group.
Georgina Reed, Fundraising Manager at CLIC Sargent, said: “A great day was had by all the families on Saturday. We would like to thank all of the staff and players at Exeter City Football Club, plus their generous sponsors, who made the day possible. Thanks to them the children and young people in attendance on Saturday have special memories that will last a lifetime.”
Bruce Henderson, Business Development Manager at Exeter City, said: “Ours is the easy bit, we have the enjoyment of seeing the children’s happy faces and the knowledge that their parents have also had an enjoyable and much needed break. It is CLIC Sargent and the sponsors involved in making the day possible that deserve the credit and we thank them all.”