Sunderland AFC supporter Toby Patterson received a surprise he will never forget when Dan Ballard and Trai Hume revealed he would be a mascot for Saturday’s clash with Brighton.
Nine-year-old Toby, a huge fan of both the Black Cats and Northern Ireland, has been battling with Perthes’ disease which affects hip mobility meaning that he often has to use a wheelchair or crutches.
Now on the road to recovery, Toby will be mascot on Foundation of Light Matchday this weekend, and after hearing his story, Sunderland’s Northern Irish internationals were keen to meet him.
Toby and his younger brother Thomas, six, were invited to the Beacon of Light to take part in a quiz about Ballard and Hume. What the brothers didn’t expect was that the Black Cats stars would be there in person to help them with the answers.
After the quiz, the players joined the boys for a kickabout before revealing the surprise that Toby will walk out onto the Stadium of Light pitch with them on Saturday.
Watch the moment the lads surprised Toby
This weekend’s fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion is Foundation of Light Matchday, a special occasion celebrating the life-changing work delivered across the North East.
The fixture also forms part of the Premier League’s Community Weekend and the wider More Than A Game campaign, recognising the impact that clubs and their charities make in communities across the country.
Toby will take to the pitch wearing a special Foundation of Light Matchday shirt, proudly representing the official charity of Sunderland AFC and the work they do to improve lives across the region.
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Foundation of Light is encouraging more girls across Sunderland and the North East to get involved in sport this June through a packed month of football, activity and participation opportunities as part of Together Through Sport.
Foundation of Light’s 2026 Harrison Challenge winners have been crowned following the final presentations at the Beacon of Light.
One lucky winner will be chosen randomly to earn a free opportunity to follow in the footsteps of their Black Cats heroes and play at the Stadium of Light.