2 weeks Ago
Hamza Palas, a 10-year-old fan from Enfield, appeared at Tottenham Hotspurs’ White Hart Lane stadium as Rory the life-size mascot of the hospice in High Barnet. Hamza’s sister Gulirem, who is now 14, has anemia, epilepsy and microcephaly. Appearing in front of thousands of football fans was a special honour for the family.
“It was a lovely day for us,” Hamza’s mum Betul Arapoglu said. “We wouldn’t have had the chance to do this without the hospice and are grateful to everyone who donates.” The November 16 game was dedicated to the hospice, which has been supporting the family since 2012 with music therapy and home support volunteers.
Spurs fan Roscoe Mahoney from Islington was invited onto the pitch with his 12-year-old son Arthur at half-time to chat to MC Paul Coyte in front of the huge crowd. Arthur’s twin brother Ray suffered a bleed on the brain when he was born which affected his development. The family have been supported by Noah’s Ark since the twins were six months old.
Roscoe said: “It’s not every day you get to stand on the pitch at Spurs — we had an amazing day thanks to the hospice.” Children in the crowd were given Noah’s Ark flags while hospice staff got involved waiving a huge flag in Spurs colours. Noah’s Ark chief executive Sophie Andrews was also invited onto the pitch for a chat with Paul Coyte.
She said afterwards: “To have this match dedicated to us feels really special, to be the official charity of Tottenham Hotspur and not just because I’m a huge fan!” A video was shown on the big screens of the recent visit to the hospice by Spurs’ players Bethany England and Hayley Raso to meet the children. Volunteers were in the stadium collecting donations from well-wishing fans to help meet Noah’s Ark running costs caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting or threatening conditions. The hospice supports families in the London boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington as well as neighbouring Hertsmere in Hertfordshire — but it needs around £6 million every year to keep running.
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