Football fans are on the hunt for a young lad who sent a heart-warming note to his favourite player with 26p attached inside.
The little boy named Joe, 6, sent a letter to Swindon Town Football Club explaining that his mum can’t afford game tickets because she ‘has no money for food’.
However, the lad still taped 26p to the note for his favourite player, Harry McKirdy.
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.
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“I like Swindon Town Harry McKirdy. I will come one day.
“Joe Aged 6 ½.”
Attached was 20p, 5p 1p coins which were ‘for Harry’.
Joe’s tear-jerking note has since caught the attention of the club, who are now eager to find him with the help of fans.
Their Twitter post, along with a picture of the note, reads: “We have received this letter from Town fan Joe, aged 6 and a half.
“We'd love to get in touch with Joe but don't have a return address.
“If anyone recognises the writing or thinks they know who Joe is, please email [email protected].”
Fellow Swindon fans have now organised a Just Giving page for anyone who wishes to donate to Joe and his family, with £2,431 being raised in just a matter of hours.
The page reads: “This is where football comes together.
“Let's 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!”
And it’s not just Swindon fans who have chipped in to help, as the list of supporters shows fans from all over the nation sending heartfelt messages to Joe and his mum.
One wrote: “Best wishes from a Norwich City fan in Ireland. Hopefully Joe and his Mum will be found and a great day will be had. Proper football community support around the world. Enjoy the day young man! #OTBC”
Meanwhile thousands of people have shared the club's appeal to find young Joe - with hundreds of people offering to pay for tickets for him and his family.
One woman wrote: “I would pay for two tickets to go with his Mum or Dad - what a fantastic lad.
“Mum may not have much money - but what a fantastic job she has done with her son.”
Another man said: “What a little legend! Proves how much he loves his club.
“Football is bigger than any individual, bigger than any business that runs the club.”
Topics: Daily Ladness, Football, Sport
Abbi Murray