Let's Back Zac: Poorly Broseley youngster is mascot for AFC Telford United FA Cup match
Broseley youngster Zac Oliver will be the mascot for AFC Telford United's FA Cup clash today, as the community continues to rally round the campaign to get him potentially life-saving treatment.
AFC Telford United's chief executive, manager Gavin Cowan and the first team squad were welcoming the four-year-old into their dressing room this afternoon ahead of the second qualifying round clash against Bedford United.
Zac has a very rare form of childhood leukaemia, called Near Haploid, and needs to travel to the US for treatment, unavailable on the NHS.
His family and friends need to raise £500,000 to get to Philadelphia for the CAR-T therapy, and they are organising a ‘wear red for Zac’ day to take place on September 28.
"It's good to give something back to someone going through a tough time," explained Luke Shelley, football secretary of AFC Telford United.
"If there's ever anything we can do, we're very open to helping the local community."
SEE ALSO:
He added added: "We are wanting to give Zac and his family a day to remember, despite the chemotherapy treatment he's going though.
"We also hope the day will help raise awareness for the family, anything we can do to help.
"If they get £500 extra from the day, that's more money towards their fundraising target."
Anyone who wants to support the fundraising campaign should visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/zac-oliver
Anyone donating is asked to make sure they post a picture of themselves wearing red on September 28 on Facebook or Twitter with the hastag #wearredforzac
People can also join Zac's Facebook support page which is called 'Zachariah's's fight against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia'.
People can also donate using their mobile phone by texting ZACH75 £1 to 70070.
Mr Cowan has also issued a personal appeal to all club's supporters to get behind the ‘Wear Red for Zac’ campaign.
People are being asked to wear red and donate £1 to the campaign, as well as posting a picture of themselves on social media with the hashtag #wearredforzac.
Today Zac's family were being given the chance to meet all the players before the game, and afterwards the youngster was getting his programme signed before being treated to afternoon tea in the executive box.
At 2.55pm the youngster was set to accompany the team onto the pitch, before watching the game from a VIP seat.
Players from Broseley Youth FC will also be doing a bucket collection on Saturday to help raise funds for the campaign.
