Joey Essex enjoys training session at footie club for disabled kids as he supports The Sun’s Footie For All fund

FIVE months ago, little Hamilton could barely walk a few steps before falling over – now he is tearing around a football pitch putting Joey Essex through his paces.

The six-year-old has developmental difficulties in his legs, which caused mobility problems and affected his confidence.

Tyreece knocks a ball past Joey Essex at Broomfield FC’s training groundLouis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun

The Towie star lines up with Hamilton Hunt, in blue hat, and his palsLouis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun

But thanks to the dedication of volunteers at Broomfield Football Club, Hamilton now runs around without a care in the world and has become increasingly confident in himself.

Joey said: “It’s amazing to be here tonight and meet such a great group of kids.

“They’re clearly really enjoying themselves and most are really passionate about it, just like Hamilton.

“Everyone who wants a chance to play football should always have it.

“All the children here get to play for free, and it’s so important they get the opportunity.

“I love that it’s in Essex, and getting to hand out their new kit was amazing.”

The Chelmsford-based club, which has been awarded one of our Footie For All Grants, offer a free session every week for children with a range of disabilities from those on the autism spectrum to one child with cerebral palsy.

Around twenty kids come to play every week, and often they’ve tried other clubs but been left out or picked on by other children.

The Sun’s grant is being used to help cover pitch hire and training costs for staff to ensure volunteers can keep the sessions free for as long as possible.

Hamilton’s mum Skye said: “Coming here has quite literally been life changing for Hamilton and me.

“They’ve helped with his mobility more than the hospital have been able to.

“But it’s more than just that. They’ve given us something to bond over, and football is now all he talks about.

“His teachers have told me that he’s always getting friends at school or other clubs to get involved and be more confident.”

Reality star Joey has backed out The Sun’s Footie For All campaign since it started, earlier this year, following shocking statistics that the cost-of-living crisis was forcing many young children to drop out of local sports clubs.

We then launched our groundbreaking Footie For All Fund in partnership with the Tesco Stronger Starts campaign, which provides healthy food and activities for children.

We invited grassroots football clubs that work with kids under the age of 18 to apply for one of the 150 £1,000 grants.

While the Essex boy didn’t try to turn his love of sports into a footballing career, he did get his love of Millwall from his dad, who is a devoted fan.

And seeing how much kids aged between six and eleven love getting a chance to have a kickabout.

He told The Sun: “I came down tonight to put a smile on the kids faces, and I was amazed that some of them knew me from Blankety Blank.

“It’s so important than everyone can play football, no matter what their background is.

“It’s great to be here, seeing them doing something they truly love.”

Joey handed out a new team strip paid for by a local art business Quantus Gallery, owned by James Ryan.

James said: “It’s a pleasure to sponsor the new kit for
Broomfield FC.

“When I heard about the Footie For All Campaign I wanted to support in whatever way I could.

“Helping an Essex team makes it extra special for me.”

Coach Nick Emery, said: “The kids have really warmed to Joey and have loved that he’s come down to play with them.

“Some of these players that come with us tonight might have tried to try with mainstream teams, and just found they need a bit of extra attention and can get lost in mainstream teams.

“We have this session to make sure we meet some of their additional needs and to make sure we’re fully inclusive as a football club.

“It’s just lovely to see how their faces light up every time they arrive for a session.

“It’s the biggest bit of their week.

“They’ve all gone on to make friends and their parents have told us just how much they love it.

“The grant from The Sun and Tesco will help us pay for some facility costs, staff training coaches training to help improve our skills in terms of being able to provide the best possible sessions for the kids and if we have any left over we’d like to do some team building
activities with the team.”

Joey continues to join in with Essex club’s kidsLouis Wood – Commissioned by The Sun