A FOOTBALL loving youngster who suffers with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy was honoured to become a match mascot.

Ten-year-old Adam Sevenoaks, who lives in Sutton Poyntz with his parents Mary and Malcolm, was asked to be the team mascot for the Chickerell under 13s football team after meeting the manager at a charity event.

Football fan Adam was diagnosed with the severe degenerative muscle wasting disease in 2010, a condition which can often lead to paralysis.

Chickerell under 13s manager Chris Evans met Adam at a donation night organised by Weymouth Rotary Club’s Fayre in the Square committee and was compelled to help after hearing his story.

Chris said: “Each of the causes receiving a donation from the Rotary gave a five minute introduction explaining why we were appealing for funding.

“I listened to Mary speak about Adam and his difficulties and was really touched by their situation.”

At the time, the family were trying to raise £15,000 to buy Adam a hot tub to help him with his daily exercises and reduce his discomfort.

Both parties were attending the Rotary’s Fayre in the Square give-away party in which charities and good causes from Weymouth and Portland received a donation from money raised at the May bank holiday event.

Chris, who was given £700 for the under 13s football club, said: “At the end of the evening we all took part in a raffle which we won about £300 in.

“Chickerell under 13s were already really happy with what we had been given so I thought on my feet and handed it straight over to Mary and Adam.

“Since then we have kept in touch and a few weeks ago I asked if Adam wanted to come down and be our mascot and we presented him with his own home and away shirts.

“I just really felt he deserved it, Adam is a lovely lad, he is bright and friendly and it was just nice to make someone’s day.”

Thanks to the Rotary and Chris’s donation, Adam received his hot tub in October and has been enjoying it immensely.

Mum Mary said: “He loves his hot tub, it’s actually really interesting if we don’t use it for a couple of days we can tell his muscles really tighten up.

“Adam absolutely loved going down to the match. At half time he was over there with Chris talking tactics, he loves his football.”

The Fayre in the Square family festival 2017 will take place around Hope Square on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

The committee is hoping to make a record-breaking £20,000 this year to give away at the party in June.

To apply for funding email pilgrimhousetrust@hotmail.co.uk or send a letter to Rotary Club of Weymouth, Pilgrim House Trust, 1 Hope St Weymouth DT4 8TU.