Mascot dreams come true for boy with leukemia

Mason walked on to the pitch with a beaming smile alongside Everton's James Tarkowski

An 11-year-old boy who struggled to walk while undergoing treatment for leukemia has fulfilled his dream of leading his football team on to the pitch.

Mason was one of the mascots for Everton's Premier League fixture against West Ham United on Monday.

The schoolboy, who was diagnosed with cancer in May, had only returned home after chemotherapy two days prior to the game.

His father Wayne said: "It was touch and go whether he was going to be able to do it but it's just a dream come true for him - well for all of us really."

Mason, who was supported by his father, mother Sarah and younger brother Miles for the game, said he just "screamed" when he was told the exciting news.

"I'm a huge fan of Everton," he said.

Mason and his brother Miles were both excited to meet the players Idrissa Gana Gueye (left), Tim Iroebugnam (centre) and the club's captain Seamus Coleman (right)

Mason was diagnosed with leukemia after initially struggling with aches and pains all over his body while sitting his SATs exams.

He has since been having treatment at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

"I've had to carry him up the stairs, he couldn't even walk so let alone come out on the football pitch with all the Everton players," said Wayne.

"It's some achievement for Mason and to see him so happy and walking out with the team he supports as well."

He said the day was also a special moment for brother Miles.

"With Mason suffering with leukaemia, he's lost his best mate," he said.

"They've both lost each other really, going on bike rides, being in the garden.

"It's been hard for him as well."

Wayne said the family had been touched by those who had supported them following Mason's diagnosis including from Everton and Owen McVeigh Cancer Foundation.

Holly is receiving a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy as part of a research study

Mason was joined as a mascot by five-year-old Holly, who was diagnosed with stage-four neuroblastoma in May 2024, then aged three.

Her mother Kathryn said: "For Holly to be the mascot at Everton's dedicated match for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is really special and will be a day to remember for all her family and friends."

The fixture was dedicated to the Bradley Lowery Foundation's Cancer Has No Colours campaign, which raises funds for childhood cancer research.

Avid football fan Bradley was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 18 months old and died, aged six, in July 2017.

He first forged a special bond with Evertonians when he was a mascot for Sunderland in a game against the Blues at the Stadium of Light in September 2016.