On this day in 2021, children at a school in Brookmans Park received a signed match-worn shirt from England footballer Bukayo Saka.
The shirt was sent to the school following their heartfelt letters of support after Saka's penalty shoot-out miss in the final of Euro 2020.
The young star, aged 19 at the time, had faced immense pressure during the tournament, with his decisive spot kick saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, leading to a 3-2 defeat for the Three Lions against Italy at Wembley.
In the wake of the loss, Saka, along with teammates Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, suffered racial abuse on social media, prompting the children at Brookmans Park Primary to take action.
They drew pictures and penned letters to Saka, expressing their support and condemning the abuse he faced.
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Pupils Raphael Stephenson and Henry Neate even delivered these messages directly to Saka’s home in the village.
On Monday, Saka’s father, Lionel, visited the school to express gratitude on behalf of his son.
He brought along a thank-you card and a signed shirt that Bukayo had worn during England’s 1-0 Euros group stage win over Croatia.
At the time, assistant head teacher Andrea Pollington said: “We had a lovely surprise when Bukayo's dad came to the school and delivered a thank you card and signed shirt to the children from the Croatia match.”
She revealed the kind words from Saka, who wrote on the shirt: “Thanks to everyone at Brookmans Park School for all the lovely messages. Saka.”
The accompanying card read: “Thank you so much for all the messages, artwork and pictures.
"They are very lovely and very encouraging. I have signed a shirt for the school as a sign of my appreciation.
"I hope it inspires the pupils as they walk through the school hall daily to go on and fulfil their dreams.”
[From the Welwyn Hatfield Times of July 20, 2021]