A ten-year-old boy from Helston has lived every young football fan’s dream, walking out onto the pitch ahead of England’s first match in this year’s UEFA Euro 2024 Championships in Cologne.

Alex Hendy, a student at Landewednack School on the Lizard, won the opportunity through a competition run by Lidl, as part of their Lidl Kids Team programme. This initiative gives children from across Europe the chance to escort players onto the pitch at all 51 matches of the tournament.

The competition was initially won by Alex's granddad, David, but due to his mobility limitations, he generously passed on the prize to his grandson.

The Landewednack school pupil was a mascot for Englands first game against Slovenia The Landewednack school pupil was a mascot for England's first game against Slovenia (Image: Supplied)

Alex and his dad travelled to Germany days before the match against Slovenia where he would walk out with one of the England players.

Alex's granddad David Russell told the Packet that his grandson hoped to walk out with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford due to his love for Everton but added that Alex was just as pleased when it was revealed he'd be walking out with Jude Bellingham. 

“He was so excited, and it was lovely to see Alex’s interaction with Jude on the TV,” David said.

Alex with Jude Bellingham at the start of the game Alex with Jude Bellingham before the start of the game (Image: Supplied) David also mentioned how Alex found the experience of walking out onto the pitch with tens of thousands of people in the stands. He said: “Alex said the noise was unbelievable from the crowd.

"He said he couldn’t believe the noise when he walked out and both team fans were cheering.”

Alex gives Jude Bellingham a wave before he leaves the pitch. 

Once his big moment was up, Alex returned to the stands and watched England draw nil-nil with Slovenia.

However, the experience didn’t just stop there for Alex. David explained: “Alex didn’t get a chance to meet any of the current England players as they were lining up, but he did manage to be in a photograph with the former England player Rio Ferdinand who was over there.”

Alex also met former England player Rio Ferdinand Alex also met former England player Rio Ferdinand (Image: Supplied)

David also mentioned how well Lidl did with the organisation of the trip and praised them for giving the children spending money.

“We didn’t expect it at all when they gave him 100 euros spending money, he went and bought another football shirt!”

England will face Switzerland this Saturday (July 6)  at 5pm.