Will YOURS be the winning bid for the chance to be a Southampton FC mascot, on 19 October, when Saints play Leicester in the Premier League?

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is being auctioned by Fareham-based Closewood Air Conditioning, which is raising money for Mountbatten Hampshire and is a regional partner with Southampton FC.

The Closewood Air Conditioning team is planning a charity ball in aid of our hospice charity. Funds raised from this month's incredible gesture will go towards April's event.

Scroll down for how to place your bid...

(Photo by Google Street Maps)

The highest bidder will win two tickets (one for an adult and one for a child, aged between seven and 12 years old) for Southampton FC vs Leicester at St Mary's Stadium, on 19 October at 3pm. The winning young ticket-holder will also walk out onto the hallowed pitch, alongside the Saints' team captain.

This incredible opportunity will see the lucky child wait in the tunnel and, when the players leave their dressing room, accompany them onto the St Mary's pitch. Their lucky adult chaperone will witness the excitement from a (normally pitch level) seat nearby. 

This dream experience also includes a full Saints kit for the child to wear on the day — and keep forever.

A Saints photographer will record the moment, by taking pictures in the centre circle with the captain, club mascots and officials.

How to place your bid to be a Saints mascot at Southampton FC vs Leicester on 19 October

• Bids must be made by midnight on Tuesday, October 15
• Email the highest amount you would be prepared to bid to Dean Kirby via [email protected] 

Good luck!

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."

His company has been a Mountbatten Hampshire supporter for over three years.

Mountbatten Hampshire is the hospice provider for Southampton and we are proud to have a 16-bed ward in West End. Our staff also provide expert 24/7 care in patients' homes across large parts of Hampshire as well as support including rehabilitation and bereavement counselling.

Our organisation is a registered charity, which receives a third of its funding from the NHS. The value of this has not risen in line with inflation, although our costs have been rising. Two thirds of our funding comes from the community, including through incredible gestures like this one.