A company is auctioning off a chance for a child to be a Southampton FC mascot for charity.

Closewood Air Conditioning in Fareham is raising money for Mountbatten Hampshire, a hospice provider, and has teamed up with Southampton FC for this fundraising effort.

The auction's highest bidder will win two tickets for the Southampton FC vs Leicester game on Thursday, October 19, at St Mary's Stadium.

Closewood Air Conditioning's Managing Director, Dean Kirby said previous mascots have described the experience as one of the best of their lives.

He said: "This is something that is out of the ordinary."

The winning tickets are for one adult and one child, aged between seven and 12 years old. The winning child will have the opportunity to walk out onto the pitch alongside the Saints' team captain.

The adult chaperone will sit nearby, witnessing the excitement from a pitch-level seat. As part of this experience, the child will also receive a full Saints kit to wear on the day, which they can keep.

A Saints photographer will capture the moment in the centre circle with the captain, club mascots, and officials.

Bids for this opportunity must be submitted by midnight, Tuesday, October 15.

Interested individuals can email the highest amount they are prepared to bid to dean.kirby@closewood.com

Funds raised from this auction will contribute to a charity ball that the Closewood Air Conditioning team is planning in aid of Mountbatten Hampshire.

Mountbatten Hampshire provides hospice care for Southampton, with a 16-bed ward in West End.

Their staff also provide expert 24/7 care in patients' homes across large parts of Hampshire.

The organisation offers additional support, including rehabilitation and bereavement counselling.

As a registered charity, Mountbatten Hampshire receives a third of its funding from the NHS.

However, the value of this funding has not risen in line with inflation, while costs have been increasing.

Two-thirds of the charity's funding comes from the community, including through donations and fundraising events.

Closewood Air Conditioning has been a regional partner with Southampton FC and has previously engaged in various community and charity initiatives.

The auction represents another effort to support the hospice provider in delivering care to the community.