L-R Kai, Destiny Rae and Kai's wife Sophia (Image: Noah's Ark Children's Hospice)
L-R Kai, Destiny Rae and Kai's wife Sophia (Image: Noah's Ark Children's Hospice)
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Arsenal star Kai Havertz made dreams come true for two families supported by Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Through the Kai Havertz Foundation, the families were invited to his private hospitality box at the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal take on Newcastle United on April 25.
The families, both avid Arsenal fans, were also invited onto the pitch after the game to meet the German midfielder in person. One of the guests was seven-year-old Destiny Rae Ojejimi from Islington, who attended with her mum Maria.
Destiny Rae, who has been supported by Noah’s Ark since 2018, had kidney disease and received a successful transplant in 2024.
Also in attendance were David Luka from Barnet and his children Lara, 18, and Samuel, 15.
Samuel is in remission from anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare, fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Cerys Dawson, senior corporate partnerships officer at Noah's Ark Children’s Hospice, said: "We are extremely proud of our partnership with The Kai Havertz Foundation and the shared purpose at its heart.
"For the children and families we support, experiences like these are about much more than a day out, they create lasting memories, moments of joy, and a welcome sense of normality. This kind of support helps families spend meaningful time together away from the challenges they face, and we’re incredibly grateful to be able to share these opportunities with them."
Mr Havertz and his wife Sophia are long-time supporters of the Barnet-based hospice and have visited The Ark several times to spend time with children and families facing life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
Through their foundation, which recently marked its third anniversary, they donated €35,000 to help fund the charity’s care and support services.
Mr Havertz said: "Football has given me so much and being able to share that with these two incredible families means the world to us. Seeing the kids light up at the Emirates Stadium, knowing what they've been through, that stays with you.
"Noah's Ark gives these families hope and togetherness and Sophia and I will keep supporting that for as long as we can through my foundation."