SPREADING JOY THIS CHRISTMAS
NON-LEAGUE clubs have been out and about showing their charitable side by visiting hospitals and community centres to spread some much-needed festive cheer ahead of Christmas.
National League high-flyers Woking made their annual trip to the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford for the 11th consecutive year.
Manager Alan Dowson and his assistant Ian Dyer, plus first-team players Sean Donnellan and Ibrahim Meite, were on hand along with club directors to give out presents to children currently being treated at the hospital.
The club gave out over £1000 worth of gifts at Royal Surrey and St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey which was raised by a bucket collection and contributions from all of the team management and players.
Chester FC visited the Countess of Chester Hospital to provide youngsters in the children’s ward with gifts donated to the Big Yellow Christmas Toy Appeal.
The Toy Appeal exceeded all expectation this year with over £10,000 worth of new toys and gifts donated by the general public, businesses and Chester fans.
Toy Appeal coordinator and Chester’s fan engagement director Jeff Banks said: “I’d like to thank both the club and also the staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital who do such a fantastic job, and who allowed us to visit the young patients in the Children’s Ward, of all ages.
Yuletide spirit
“I think it really hit home with the management and players just how fortunate we are, and how the club can play a small but important part in helping those families who are seeing their sons and daughters poorly in hospital at present.”
Solihull Moors stars Jamey Osborne, Darren Carter and Danny Wright helped deliver Christmas hampers to staff and patients at Solihull Hospital while Bognor Regis Town visited Howard Ward at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester.
Manager Jack Peace, coach Robbie Blake and a group of first team players joined club mascot Rocky Bear to conjure up some yuletide spirit and made a special delivery of presents.
Kerry Brunnen, the ward’s play leader, said: “It was a lovely atmosphere and everyone enjoyed the visit so much. It cheered everyone up, the children and the parents, and we’re grateful to Bognor Regis Town for coming along and handing out the gifts and bringing us some light-hearted moments.”
There was plenty of smiles on faces at Queen Mary’s Children’s Hospital where Sutton manager Matt Gray, players and mascot Jenny the Giraffe gave out gifts to staff and patients.
AFC Fylde’s first team squad made their annual visit to the children’s ward at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, handing out presents and chatting to the youngsters. “They were a real credit to the club and are welcome any time,” the hospital tweeted.