Colleague chosen for dream match experience

Kay Jex, Support Worker at Raines Court in Middlesbrough, was chosen to represent our charity at a special hospitality day at Middlesbrough Football Club’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday 14th August.

Kay has worked at Community Integrated Care providing outstanding care and support for almost 13 years. As a Middlesbrough Football Club Superfan, Kay frequently attends Middlesbrough FC matches with James, a person she supports at Raines Court. She even attends matches with James in her own time when not on shift, to ensure that he never misses a match!

Throughout the pandemic, Kay has gone above and beyond selflessly volunteering to ‘lock down’ with the people she supports when they tested positive for Covid-19 and urgently required someone to stay at their service with them.

Kay’s colleagues at Raines Court felt that her dedication and commitment deserved to be rewarded. They nominated Kay for the opportunity to attend last Saturday’s Middlesbrough match against Bristol City, for a dream matchday experience at Riverside Stadium. The opportunity was part of a special hospitality day for key workers from Teesside, organised by Middlesbrough FC.

Incredibly, Kay was then selected by Middlesbrough FC to attend the match along with a plus one, and she chose to take the person she supports, James, with her.

The day was an incredible experience for them both – having the opportunity to watch the match from VIP seating, the pair were treated to a four-course pre-match meal, half-time refreshments, and even got to meet one of their heroes – former professional footballer, John Hendrie!

Middlesbrough FC’s football manager, Neil Warnock, also joined the group in the Legends Lounge after the match and gave a speech thanking all the keyworkers for their efforts throughout the pandemic.

Kay Jex, Support Worker at Raines Court, said:

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out I had been nominated and picked for the experience – I was gob smacked. I was given the option to take a plus one and I just knew I had to ask James, as we have such a shared passion for football and Middlesbrough FC.

It was an unbelievable and magical day – the best we’ve had for a long time. After being in lockdown for 18 months and all the challenges we’ve faced during the pandemic, it was amazing to do something like this. It brought back a sense of normality to our lives! I am so grateful to my colleagues for nominating me and can’t thank Middlesbrough FC enough for such a brilliant experience.”

James, a person we support in Middlesbrough, said:

“The day was really exciting. I didn’t know what to expect at first when we got to the stadium. It was fantastic to spend the day in the Legends Lounge – the food was unbelievable, we made some great new friends and I even managed to get John Hendrie to sign my programme.

I never thought I would get the chance to have such an amazing experience, and it is one I will never forget!”