Grandad brings it home as football-loving Charlotte joins England at Euros

Grandfather's victory: Lidl organized a contest to attend the Euro's in Germany. This resulted in Oxspring primary school student Charlotte Grange becoming an England Mascot and getting the chance to meet the players. Photo by Shaun Colborn PD093262.

A young girl who is nine years old is going to Germany for a special chance to be on the field with the England team during their last group match at the Euros.

Charlotte Grange, a resident of Oxspring, has been given the chance to be part of the team all because of her grandfather Kelvin Connolly, who is 72 years old. He secured her spot by participating in the 'Lidl Kids Team' programme.

People were given an opportunity to participate in a contest to win a prize, with only 77 lucky winners selected from all of Europe. The winners must be between the ages of six and ten.

After learning he had won, Kelvin was in disbelief and anticipated his football-loving granddaughter's enthusiastic reaction.

He informed the Chronicle: "I saw the competition on my phone through the Lidl app."

I figured I might as well join in, and if there was any paperwork to fill out, I could just have my wife do it for me.

After that, I didn't pay much attention to it, so when I received a message stating that I had won, I thought it was probably a hoax.

My firstborn daughter verified it all and confirmed that it's true, we have won.

Charlotte, a player for Penistone Church, will be joining Southgate's squad next Tuesday as they go up against Slovenia.

One of the players will be escorting her onto the field as she proudly represents England as the team's mascot.

Regrettably, Kelvin cannot accompany his granddaughter because he feels like he is getting too old.

Charlotte's aunt, Clare Connolly, will be accompanying her instead. Charlotte not only gets to enjoy the match, but also has a busy itinerary of activities, all covered by the supermarket chain.

The couple will start their journey home the day after the game, which coincidentally falls on Kelvin's 73rd birthday - but he isn't bothered that they'll be missing the celebration.

"The schedule they sent is really impressive," Kelvin commented.

When I witnessed all the activities they were engaged in, I was in disbelief.

"They're heading to London on Monday to take the train that goes under the English Channel."

Next, they will transfer in Brussels before reaching Germany.

She needs to practice with the team on Tuesday prior to the match to prepare for the camera, and they have organized a game for the children to participate in.

"They will be staying there for three days and returning on Wednesday."

"I'm disappointed I can't attend, but the way Lidl organized this event has brought joy to an elderly gentleman."