The mascot lineup in England’s victory over Wales deeply moved many.

10/10/2025 08:36:00 PANDATV

The friendly match between England and Wales at Wembley was more than just a game on the pitch; it was a profoundly touching moment that moved tens of thousands of spectators.

Instead of the usual children, 22 fans living with dementia were chosen as mascots to accompany the players onto the field in a special initiative organized by the Football Association (FA) in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society.

Before kickoff, as captains Declan Rice and Ben Davies led their teams out of the tunnel, Wembley fell silent briefly before erupting into prolonged applause. These 22 individuals, representing the diverse faces of dementia across the UK, held hands with the players, conveying the message “We need a united team to beat this disease.” Replacing the typical child mascots, this scene was both emotional and meaningful.

22 fans living with dementia were chosen as mascots for the England-Wales match.

This was the fourth international Alzheimer’s Society match since the FA began its partnership with the organization in 2021. The event focused on raising community awareness, encouraging donations, and supporting those living with the disease, which is known as the UK’s biggest “silent killer.”

One of the most special mascots was 66-year-old Andy Paul, diagnosed with dementia in 2019. He shared, “I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do this at my age. Walking out with the players, with my family cheering in the stands, is a moment I will never forget. I also want people to understand that a diagnosis doesn’t mean you have to give up what you love.”

Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who met Andy before the match, admitted he initially felt uncertain about how to behave. “But after talking, I realized how strong, optimistic, and inspiring they are. That changed many of my stereotypes about the disease,” Burn said.

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