“We’ll never be able to thank him enough.” - How two young Peterborough United fans inspired mascot’s £40k fundraising drive

Peterborough United make great efforts to support good causes across the city, and nothing typifies that approach more than the story of club mascot Peter Burrow and two young Posh fans who have touched his heart.

“Wayne is a very, very special man and wanted to do something for the boys. We were blown away. We’ll never be able to thank him enough.”

Those are the words of James McLellan about the man behind the bunny costume, Wayne Daly.

James is the father of 11-year-old Dan who has Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, meaning he is wheelchair-bound due to muscular weakness - a condition which will only worsen over time despite daily physio.

Dan and Louis King (also 11), who has Down’s Syndrome, have both gotten to know Wayne in his role meeting young fans, and their dads have nothing but positive things to say about the club and it’s furry mascot, as they told the Peterborough Telegraph,

Louis King - dad Chris

Louis from Crowland attended his first match in September 2014 thanks to the work of the Free Kicks Foundation, a charity which the family are donating their share of Wayne’s fundraising money to.

And as dad Chris notes: “That couple of hours at London Road could be the most important in his life from what it brought.”

Louis has a development age which is around half his actual age, but something just clicks when it comes to football.

“He’s absolutely completely obsessed. His favourite player this season is Ivan Toney, but he still talks about all the old players,” said Chris.

“Football has totally changed his life. He understands football in a way that he does not understand many things. He will watch a game and totally understand what’s going on which is not replicated in other areas of his life.

“Without the involvement of the Free Kicks Foundation we would not have that.”

The charity, which gives ill, bereaved and disadvantaged children the chance to have a magical experience at their favourite football club, offered the tickets through its involvement with the Peterborough Area Down’s Syndrome Group.

But instead of just going to watch the match, Louis was given the chance to meet the players which made the whole experience even more memorable.

“He goes to every home game now, watches football on TV and plays it on his Playstation. His inspiration has come from his conversation with the players,” said Chris.

“He’s still in touch with (former centre back) Jack Baldwin.

“He is a very sociable and likes meeting people.

“If I had just bought a couple of tickets it would not have brought about his passion.

“The players were brilliant with him.”

As for the club mascot, Chris added: “Louis absolutely loved Wayne even before this - the fact he knew Peter Burrow. He’s just an absolutely brilliant guy.”

Dan Mclellan - dad James

Dan was diagnosed with his condition - caused by a mutilation of the genes - aged two, prompting the family to set up Dan’s Hope to raise funds for research.

It has been more than two years now since huge Posh fan Dan became a full-time wheelchair user, and the transition has not always been easy.

His dad James said: “It’s a progressive condition - over time his muscles will weaken even further. He’s been a full-time wheelchair user for more than two years.

“I have never walked a day in his shoes so I can’t imagine what he’s going through. He is such a driven and positive child and so upbeat and very sociable.

“When you sit and think about what he has to endure to get out of bed in the morning, it gives you a reality check.

“We want to celebrate what he can do and not be hung up on what he can’t do.

“He has now found powerchair football which is a disability sport and he loves playing it.

“He is actually very good at it, and for the first time in his life he is in a team. He’s playing in a national league against fully grown men and women.

“He sees a future in this and wants to play for England. He’s very determined and does what he sets his mind to.”

The Mclellan family are raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK and international organisations to fund research into Dan’s condition.

“He very seldom complains even though he has to do physio every day for the rest of his life and can’t dress himself. He does not let it get in his way,” said James.

“We’re hoping we can have a breakthrough in Dan’s lifetime.”

And if a cure is discovered, one man will certainly have played his part in funding the vital research.

“Wayne is a very, very special man and wanted to do something for the boys. We were blown away,” added James.

“We’ll never be able to thank him enough.”

Dan’s Hope is on Twitter at: @Dans_Hope

Wayne Daly

So why is Wayne from South Bretton putting himself through a gruelling series of challenges to try and raise so much money for both boys?

“I turned 40 last year and I just thought I wanted to get Peter (Burrow) out doing crazy things and to do 40 challenges. And I thought raising money for these two brave Peterborough United supporters is the perfect thing to do.

“They are cracking lads and they have nice families.

“I’m working on a lot of different challenges at the moment. I’ve already done 40,000 steps walking around Peterborough in costume and been taught CPR.

“I’m now organising a charity football tournament and writing a panto. I’m also planning to sit on every seat in the stadium (15,314).

“But the big one I want to do is to canoe the full length of the Nene in full costume. I think I could do it in three days, I just need someone to supply me with a canoe.

“I’m also looking for businesses to come up with a challenge and sponsor me to do it, and I’m looking for raffle and auction prizes.”

Wayne admits it is an ambitious target, but then for this bunny, Easter is a time for miracles.

To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peter-burrow-1?utm_id=60&utm_term=ngnnBbE6e,