The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Dream come true for Harri as he is mascot for the day at Gayfield
Arbroath Football Club made a dream come true for a terminally ill young fan on Saturday by inviting him to be mascot for the day.
The Red Lichties were in cup action against Clyde and while the home side suffered a 2-0 defeat, the day was one 10-yearold Harri (Harrison) Parker will always remember.
His proud mother Jeni explained he was born with only half a heart but he is unable to have a transplant.
She said: “Harri has made a bucket list of, as he says, things he wants to do before he pops it.
“We don’t hide anything. He knows, inevitably, something is going to happen at some point.”
The brave youngster, from Sheffield, can now tick off being a mascot after leading Arbroath on to the pitch on Saturday afternoon.
The avid Sheffield United supporter first made the 680mile round-trip to Gayfield in August to attend his first Arbroath game as his beloved Blades did not have a home match.
Since then he has been hooked on the Angus side.
He is a regular at Bramall Lane for Sheffield United games and has a close relationship with the club’s goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
However, he is unable to be the mascot there as it is a whole-day event.
Jeni said: “Harri can’t do that but, on Saturday, we took off his oxygen pack to let him walk on to the pitch for five minutes.
“He came back and sat at the side of the home dugout.
“His favourite Arbroath player is Bobby Linn and he was brilliant with him.
“He gave him a tour of the changing rooms. Everyone at the club went above and beyond.”