Family pride at England dementia role for father

Howard Ducille - pictured with daughter Rebecca - said at first he did not believe a letter telling him he would be an England mascot

A man who has dementia and who will walk out with the England team as a mascot ahead of their game with Wales on Thursday said he felt "lucky" to be chosen for the role.

Howard Ducille, from Birmingham, will be among 22 fans diagnosed with the condition who walk out with the England and Wales players for the friendly at Wembley.

The avid Liverpool fan said he was pleased to support the Football Association and Alzheimer's Society's initiative, which aims to raise awareness and funds from the occasion.

Mr Ducille's daughter, Rebecca Ducille, said she would feel "very, very proud" watching her dad be a mascot and was impressed how he was inspiring others.

"I look up to my dad anyway, " she said. "I think my dad is probably one of the most inspirational people I know, purely based on his outlook in life.

She added her father was now showing the "world that even with a diagnosis like this you can still be laughing, joking, smiling".

"You can partake in things and you can do amazing things - he is even more my hero than he was before," she added.

Mr Ducille promised he would not get "weepy-eyed" at Wembley during the event

Mr Ducille said, when he got a letter about being part of the game, at first he did not properly look at it - but his daughter telephoned to check it out and his friend Dennis, also an avid football fan, was visiting and was impressed.

"He's been there, to Wembley and he said 'you'll get spoilt there. It's a very nice place'," he said.

Mr Ducille, who is going to the match with his grandson, added he would "wear my dementia badge with pride" and was looking forward to telling people about the experience.

"I'd better get to bed early," he joked ahead of the big day.

"Fair play to me, it's just my lucky day for some reason."

He said he had attended many Alzheimer's Society meetings and the charity had been "absolutely" supportive.

No tears

The letter, signed by England manager Thomas Tuchel, said as the Alzheimer's Society International, the game held extra significance.

"I hope you and your loved ones have a special evening knowing your presence will help inspire so many people watching from the stands and at home," he added in the letter.

Mr Ducille said he was taking it all in his stride.

"I am not going to get weepy-eyed," he said.

"The real effect will be at the end, when you take a step back and you look back afterwards."

He added on the return trip from London with his family he expected to "talk them to death".

"That's when it will get to me at the end of it," he said. "But it will sink in, bit by bit by bit.

"That will come on the way home and then the next day."