Earlier this week, the EFL and Southampton Football Club surprised young Saints fan, Jess Vallis, with tickets to watch her Club in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final and a special behind-the-scenes tour of Wembley this coming weekend.  

Unlike most 17 year olds, Jess, from Harefield in Southampton, has had to face a range of complex and challenging situations in recent years, having been a carer for her disabled brother, Ben, who sadly passed away in 2022.

Jess was just seven years old when she started caring for her brother and was struggling to find a balance between school life and caring responsibilities. She would often come to school feeling tired and struggling to focus in lessons. At 14, Jess was referred to the Saints Foundation’s Community Champions scheme which sees Foundation staff based in local secondary schools full-time to provide support and one-to-one mentoring to pupils struggling to reach their potential. Students are helped to bolster their self-esteem and aspirations in class as well as access to after-school sessions promoting team work and helping to build connections. 

Jess received her tickets when her Community Champion, James, surprised her at a Saints Foundation Kicks community session.

Jess said: “I couldn’t believe it when they gave me the tickets. To be able to watch my hometown Club at Wembley is a dream come true – I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll be coming with my dad who’s a huge Saints fan and I’m sure it will be a day to remember.

“Thanks to the EFL and the team at Saints Foundation and Southampton Football Club for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to go to Wembley, and to my mentor who’s gone over and above to support me through some of the complex challenges in my life and through the loss of my younger brother Ben.”

The EFL and its Clubs are at the heart of communities across England and Wales, providing a range of programmes and activities to support some of the most underrepresented people and with a unique ability to deliver national impact on a local scale through its network of 72 Clubs and Club Community Organisations.