Everton Football Club made history when they faced Newcastle United, introducing the world’s first ‘virtual matchday mascot’ and giving a sick child the ultimate match day experience.

Captain Phil Jagielka brought the telepresence robot called AV1 onto the pitch at Goodison Park to help a child too unwell to travel from home, enabling them to virtually go onto the pitch and perform their mascot duties ‘remotely’ through the robot’s integrated camera, microphone and speaker.

The AV1 was designed and manufactured by Norwegian start-up No Isolation to help combat loneliness in children and young adults with long-term illnesses, also enabling them to attend social occasions and school through connected devices, communicating and interacting with others.

In this case, 14-year-old Jack McLinden was able to meet Everton players in the changing room and tunnel before heading out onto the pitch in front of more than 39,000 fans. Connected to Jack’s iPad, he was able to see and hear everything which came with being a mascot for the day. Jack’s mother, Michelle Wignall, said: “We are thrilled that, through No Isolation and Everton Football Club, Jack was able to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.”

Everton’s Head of Engagement, Scott McLeod, added: “The most important thing for everybody at the club is that we have had the opportunity, through this amazing technology and the work with No Isolation and WellChild, to do something incredible for an inspirational young Evertonian. We are thrilled to have had the chance to do this for Jack and we hope it has provided him with a memory he will always treasure.”

To find out more about the life-changing technology by No Isolation, head over to www.noisolation.com