Aleks in the Metro Ahead of Sunday's Charity Match 📰

On Friday morning, page 12 of the Metro carried something rather special. Aleks - in his red Chislehurst Wanderers kit, with that "Smile of Hope" shirt - was the face of a full-page feature for Sunday's charity match, distributed free across UK cities and read by millions of commuters before their first coffee.

📰 In the National Press

Seeing your seven-year-old's face in a national paper still doesn't quite land. There he was, alongside Greg Davies and the Baftas, with the words "Help Aleks Score His Goal" beside him.

For Aleks, it's just a picture. He's far more interested in scoring actual goals than features in newspapers. But for the cause, this is huge. Every commuter who glanced at page 12, every reader who scanned the QR code, every person who shared the story - they're all part of this now.

Sunday is Match Day

The match happens this Sunday, 10th May, 14:00 kick-off, at The Oaks (SE9 2TF). Two grassroots clubs - Baldon Sports and Chislehurst Wanderers, where Aleks attends soccer school - have come together for one shared goal: help Aleks raise £15,000 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Every pound raised goes towards the hospital that has cared for Aleks throughout his battle with Ewing Sarcoma. Life-saving research, world-class care for children with rare cancers, and the quiet, daily kindness that makes families like ours feel held when the road is hardest.

💛 Thank You

To the team at the Metro - reaching this many people on a Friday morning, in print, makes a real difference. Sunday's match is bigger because of your coverage.

And to Mark Ede, Aleks's coach at Chislehurst Wanderers - the pitch, the clubs, the press coverage, the rallying call: Mark has poured himself into making Sunday happen, just as he did last year. We are so grateful.

If you're anywhere near south-east London this Sunday, come along. Bring the kids. Cheer loudly. And if you can, donate at www.justgiving.com/page/teamaleks.

Help Aleks score his goal. 💛