A little boy who ‘finds it really difficult to socialise’ had his day made by a group of schoolboys who approached him in a park.
Joshua Reid, six, was at his local park in Wirral yesterday evening when a group of young boys approached the 'shy' six-year-old.
Joshua's mum Charlotte Reid, 25, said Joshua has always been ‘so scared’ to play football and is usually 'very shy' around strangers, which as a result he is currently undergoing analysis for a potential autism diagnosis.
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Charlotte told the ECHO: "Joshua's in the process of finding out if he's got autism - it's been about two years so far and he's still currently getting support from his school.
"He is usually very shy around strangers and will never engage with anyone unless they do first."
Charlotte explained that her son has never shown an interest in football or joining a team due to his difficulty with 'change and people he doesn't know'.
While playing with Charlotte's partner James at their local park, a group of older boys approached Joshua and invited him to play football with them.
Charlotte said: "James said at first Joshua was very shy and didn't want to play with the boys, but then he encouraged him to play and he said he was amazing at playing for the first time and he was so proud of him."
Since yesterday, Joshua has been 'smiling from ear to ear' and 'hasn't stopped talking about it all'.
The event left Joshua 'thrilled' and has even sparked a new passion within him.
Charlotte said: "Joshua now wants to play for Liverpool football club. He's so made up with himself he really wants to join a club.
"We are all absolutely over the moon that Joshua now has a new passion and hopefully we can find him a little football team to join and he can carry on making new friends and boost his confidence more."
In a bid to find the boys responsible for making Joshua’s day, Charlotte took to Facebook to tell others how ‘grateful’ she was for the boys' kindness towards her son.
Charlotte wrote: “Appreciation post - thank you to the boys in the park [yesterday] evening around 5pm who have played football with my son and partner.
"He finds it really difficult to socialise and he's come home absolutely thrilled.
"I think my partner said there was about five lads age between 10/15 maybe? I know it won't seem a lot to some but it is for us and my son.
"So thank you so much as I know how much bad reputation kids get these days. So if there are your children, please let them know how grateful I am for playing with my son."
The post was celebrated by over 400 people on Facebook and even helped Charlotte find the parents of some of the boys.
Charlotte said she has since spoken with them and is arranging for Joshua to meet up with them soon for another game which 'he can't wait' for.
