For Keith Robinson, football is far more than a game. It is woven into the story of his family, his memories and his life.
On 22 August 2026, June’s Wish had the privilege of making one very special wish come true: Keith wanted to attend one final Stevenage FC game. And what followed was a day that nobody in the family will ever forget.
Keith, his wife Lyn and granddaughter Georgia arrived at the Stevenage ground to discover that Keith was going to be treated like royalty. He had his very own parking bay, before being shown to an Executive Box with an incredible view of the pitch. A gorgeous gourmet dinner was waiting for them, followed by cheese and biscuits at half-time.
But there was another very special surprise.
June’s Wish had arranged a Stevenage football shirt for Keith, complete with his favourite number — 7 — on the back.
For someone whose connection with Stevenage Football Club runs so deep, it was a hugely emotional moment. Keith himself played for Stevenage in the Mercia League Under-18s. His late brother, Peter Robinson, and Lyn’s late brother, Michael Hammond, both played for Stevenage in the First Division. Lyn’s late father, Cyril Hammond, was the club’s first secretary. And the family connection continues today. Keith’s great-nephew, seven-year-old Alfie Robinson, has been signed for the 2026/27 season.
So this wasn’t simply a football match. It was a celebration of a lifetime of memories, family, friendship and a love of Stevenage Football Club. The match itself saw Stevenage lose 1–2 to Oxford, but by then the score barely mattered. The sunshine was beautiful, the welcome was extraordinary and Keith was surrounded by the people he loves. Keith had a fantastic day and thoroughly enjoyed the game.
Lyn summed up what the day meant to the family:
“We greatly appreciate the efforts that June’s Wish went to in order that Keith and ourselves had such a great experience, creating wonderful lasting memories for the family.” Those lasting memories are exactly why June’s Wish exists.
A huge thank you goes to Elena Chelea, Manager at Woodlands View Care Home, for supporting Keith’s wish, and to Desiree Varcoe, dementia nurse and unit manager at Woodlands, for her care and support. A very special thank you also goes to David Hoskins, Commercial Director at Stevenage Football Club, who helped make the day possible, and to everyone at the ground who welcomed Keith and his family with such warmth. Stevenage truly did him proud. We are also incredibly grateful to Emma Clack from BNI, who provided the initial contact that helped open the door for this wonderful experience. And thank you to Tony at Alternative Catering, also a member of the BNI family and a supporter of June’s Wish, who generously provided the snack packs for the day.
There is another reason this wish felt particularly poignant for June’s Wish. Jules’ mum, June — the inspiration behind the charity — spent the final two months of her life at Woodlands View Care Home before returning home for her final week.
Moments like this remind us why meaningful wishes matter so much.
For families living with dementia, there can be a point when the world becomes smaller, memories become harder to hold onto and opportunities begin to disappear. But a wish can create something incredibly powerful: a moment of joy in the present and a memory for the family to treasure forever.
Football has certainly proved popular with June’s Wish — and we’re already working on another very special football wish in September at the iconic Hillsborough Stadium, where we hope to make another dream come true for a Sheffield Wednesday supporter.
More details to follow…
For Keith, though, 22 August will always be remembered as the day Stevenage gave him one final, unforgettable footballing experience.
