He's the young Newcastle United fan known as 'Bruno's Magic Hat' who has touched the hearts of players and supporters with his fundraising for the city's food bank. At just eight years old Wilf Hodgson's tireless efforts have raised more than £9,500 for the NUFC Fans Food Bank, the Alan Shearer Foundation, and the NUFC Foundation.
The Chester-le-Street school boy created his 'Bruno's Magic Hat' to wear to matches after being inspired by a chant honouring Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. He has worn it while collecting funds for the food bank outside of St James' Park on match days and pictures of him wearing it with a host of famous faces including Kevin Keegan, Gareth Southgate, Jamie Redknapp and Dan Burn have helped to bring in donations from fans.
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Last year he joined dad Alan Hodgson in a 24 hour walk around St James' Park and now the pair are set to take on the impressive feat once again this month. Alan will set off at 2.30pm on Friday, November 24 and finish just before the Newcastle vs Chelsea game kicks off the following day, with Wilf joining him for the first and last hour of the fundraiser.
"Wilf made a hat to wear to the match to try and get the player's attention," Alan said. "People associate the hat with the walk and the charity stuff so it went a bit crazy with people saying they would donate money if we got Bruno and other footballers to wear it. It became a big thing at the match that this little boy raises money for the food bank."
As part of his fundraising, Wilf uses his pocket money to print off photos of Newcastle players and waits outside of the training ground to get them signed so he can auction them off on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Wilf saw the news on TV where a family was talking about how they didn't have food and he got upset about it," Alan said of how Wilf's fundraising began. He said, 'Dad, we have to do something even if I just shake a bucket at the match,' and it has just spiralled from there."
He added: "Loads of people have said he is a local hero and that he is a little legend. I am massively proud of him. He is just a normal kid but enjoys making a difference." To donate to the fundraiser click here.
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