An autistic youngster from Spalding has turned to one of his favourite football teams for support in hosting a bake-off for charity.
Peter Bailey (ten) will have a corner of Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field all to himself when Spalding United play Nottinghamshire opponents Basford United on Saturday, March 25.
But the action on the pitch could be distracted by the delicious smell of cakes and pastries as Peter and his grandmother Jo Bailey will be holding a bake sale to mark World Autism Awareness Week.
Peter, a pupil at Gosberton House Academy, said: “We’ll have a table at the side of the pitch and some collection boxes where people can give to the National Autistic Society.
“We hope that everybody will come along and support us, while watching the best team in the whole world at the same time.”
World Autism Awareness Week runs from March 27 to April 2 when communities will be invited to help raise awareness of the lifelong, developmental condition that affects how a person communicates with others.
Jo said: “World Autism Awareness Week actually starts on the Monday after the match, but Spalding United play two days earlier.
“So when we asked the club if we could hold a bake sale at the ground, the committee very kindly agreed and some of them are going to make cakes for the day.”
The bake sale will also feature a competition where people can pay £1 and pick a special interest which could win a prize.
Peter is one The Tulips’ most enthusiastic and popular supporters after he was handed the chance to be a mascot for one of the club’s matches last November.
He said: “It was a dream for me and I think it was the best day of my life.
“I went in the dressing room where the captain, Nathan Stainfield, game me a Spalding United shirt which had ‘Peter’ and the number seven on the back of it.
“The players were all very nice to me and, after the game, I gave a bottle of champagne to the man of the match, Jordan Lemon.”
Peter’s other great football passion is for North London side Arsenal, but the youngster also has time for golf after representing the school in the Sainsbury’s School Games competition.
“My best subjects at school are PE, maths and science because I love to learn new things and have fun,” Peter said.