Boy sends 26p to Swindon Town footballer after revealing his mum can’t afford to take him to games

A six-year-old boy has donated 26p to his favourite football player in a heartbreaking letter which revealed his mum couldn’t afford to take him to matches.

Joe sent the note to his favourite team Swindon Town FC and explained that he couldn't come to games to support the team because his mum can’t afford to pay for a ticket.

The team are now trying to track down the six-year-old and his family on social media.

And a fundraiser set up to help the youngster and his family go to a match has raised more than £3,000 so far.

‘Mummy has no money for food’

The EFL League Two club shared the note on Twitter.

It reads: “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.”

Alongside this, the young boy said that he hopes to watch the team eventually, adding: “‘I like Swindon Town Harry McKidy (sic). I will come one day.”

It was signed by “Joe. Aged 6 1/2.”

Taped to the handwritten note was 26p which Joe asked to be given to Swindon Town’s star striker and his favourite player Harry McKirdy.

McKirdy has been a fan favourite for Swindon Town supporters, having won the PFA Player of the Month award for January and scoring in an FA match against Premier League giants Manchester City.

Club search for young fan

The note arrived with no return address, with Swindon Town taking to Twitter to try and track down either Joe or his family.

They said: “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 [email protected].”

The tweet has been retweeted over 3,000 times and garnered more than 11,000 likes on the social media website.

However, despite the message being shared far and wide so far, Swindon Town have said that Joe or any family members have not been found.

They said: “We would like to thank everyone who has reached out in our search for Joe.

“We are currently still searching for Joe and his family and, once we have made contact, we will be ensuring that they get to a game in style and are well looked after by the club.”

Supporters launch fundraiser for family

Not only is the club looking to help out Joe’s family, but football fans from all over have come together to lend a helping hand to the family.

A JustGiving fundraiser has been set up to help pay for Joe and his family to attend a Swindon Town game and has already smashed the £1,000 target.

Creator of the fundraiser Mark Bevan wrote: “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!”

The story has touched the hearts of not just Swindon Town fans, but fans from all over the country, with more than £3,200 raised for the six-year-old.

Tom Whartley, assistant manager of Oxford United Women’s Football Club, also extended his support, tweeting in response to the club’s original post: “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.”

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