The heart-felt note from dad has won two Wanganui lads the chance to walk hand in hand with the All Whites as they take the field against Mexico at the Cake Tin in Wellington later today.
Five-year-old Lincoln Hobbs and his 9-year-old brother, Carter, won the honour through an in-house ASB competition where staff were asked to write an essay explaining why their child should be chosen to escort the national team on to the field in the Football World Cup qualifying match.
Father Lindsay, an ASB employee in Wanganui, submitted an essay that obviously pulled at the heart strings of organisers. Mother Nicole said the essay had told about Lincoln being dragged along to his brother's matches but never being in the limelight himself but, although the competition was designed for one child to win, once the organisers found out Carter was an age group Wanganui rep player they decided to also include him.
Carter also plays club football for Wanganui City.
"Both are really excited about heading to Wellington. They get an All White jersey and scarves and the chance to not only meet the All Whites, but also the Mexican team and, of course, that means so do Lindsay and I - it's a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said.