Mason Mount, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder, has had a challenging year that saw him losing his place in the England national team’s starting lineup, finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League with Chelsea, and dealing with the unwanted attention of a stalker.

However, a recent reality check and a visit to a children’s charity event have helped put things into perspective for him.

Sporting a new peroxide blonde hairstyle, Mount took a break from his pre-season training to support the Make-A-Wish charity. During his visit to Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire, Mount spent time with seriously ill children and their families. Reflecting on the experience, he said that being with the families and hearing their stories helped him gain perspective in his own life.

This visit was a stark contrast to the intense environments of Wembley Stadium, Stamford Bridge, or the courtroom where a stalker was recently convicted of harassing Mount and his teammates. Mason Mount, who is set to join Manchester United alongside his international colleagues Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw, found the resilience and strength of the families he met inspiring.

The luxurious Hoar Cross Hall, which was transformed into a Disney-themed setting for nine days, provided respite and magical experiences for over 160 families with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses. Children dressed as superheroes or princesses enjoyed activities such as Marvel and Jedi training, a Frozen sing-along, and bedtime stories with Disney characters.

During the event, Mason Mount emphasized that the day was not about him but about bringing joy to the children and their families. He temporarily put football aside and focused on making a positive impact. Mount, who aims to refocus next season and continue his success in football, recognized the importance of events like these in uplifting the spirits of children facing challenging medical conditions.

Carly McDonald, whose seven-year-old son Cooper is a Chelsea fan and has battled leukemia since he was two years old, expressed her gratitude for the experience provided by Make-A-Wish. The family had not been able to go on a trip together due to Cooper’s health condition and the risk of infection. The Disney-themed event allowed them to create cherished memories as a family.

In summary, Mason Mount’s visit to the Make-A-Wish event and spending time with seriously ill children and their families provided him with a valuable perspective and reminded him of the importance of things beyond football.