‘Going for Goal’, the IFA’s charity partnership with local learning disability charity Positive Futures, Mencap and the Prince’s Trust, has brought the dreams of a young Lisburn fan to life.

Curtis Todd, who has a learning disability and is supported by Positive Futures’ Lisburn Families Service, was the guest of the IFA when Northern Ireland faced Slovenia in a vital World Cup qualifier on Wednesday 1 April 2009. 

Curtis and his dad Richard enjoyed a pre-match meal at Windsor Park, watched the game and – at half time – joined young people from Mencap and the Prince’s Trust to carry the ‘Going for Goal’ banner around the pitch to applause from the sellout crowd.

For Curtis this was the best part of the night. He carried the Going for Goal flag and waved it to the fans, including a group from Lisburn who came to see his moment of fame. 

This is just one example of how the partnership between the IFA and Positive Futures is making a real difference to people's lives. A hard fought win for Northern Ireland made it a perfect night!