HOW SOME PREM CLUBS ARE HOPING TO SAVE THEIR ANNUAL HOSPITAL VISITS THIS CHRISTMAS
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are battling to save a festive tradition – the annual hospital present giveaway.
Covid-19 has dented the usual plans – such as Everton’s Duncan Ferguson (below) visiting the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. And scores of hospitals throughout the country are set to miss out on seeing the stars.
But clubs are refusing to bow to the pandemic and have come up with a raft of innovative ways to ensure that patients, supporters and caregivers at least have something to smile about this Christmas.
WOLVES
The Black Country club is juggling nine visits to a variety of schools, hospices and hospitals.
However, there ere is a difference in the gift-giving this year as the carers will be receiving some of their attention.
The club runs ns a ‘Wolves’ wishes’ scheme which enables members of the public to put forward the names of those worth special consideration. The individuals will get a Zoom call from one of the players. The idea is for the presents to have been handed out before contact is made.
The club are determined to mark the occasion as best they can but with the focus more on individuals because of the difficulty in visiting groups.
ASTON VILLA
The players pool their donations and the usual practice is for them to walk around Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the Acorns Hospice – a charity the club has a long-standing relationship with – donating presents. Villa are still finalising the details of this year’s event but because of restrictions, players can’t attend in person.
The club this week held a series of meetings but did not want to give away too many secrets because, as a spokesman said: “It’s Christmas and it’s supposed to be a time for big surprises.”
WEST BROM
The Baggies have spoken to Sandwell Hospital with a variety of activities planned before the derby against Villa on December 20. They are concentrating on a presents giveaway but have had to alter their usual way of working as the gifts have to be dropped off three days in advance of them being handed over to comply with C Covid pro protocols.
West Brom are trying to target patients on an individual b basis but their effo efforts have been complicated as they do not know the identity of those on the wards until the last moment. The plan is to pair players with patients.
FULHAM
Players have made contributions towards the presents giveaway that is being looked after by the club’s foundation. The first-team squad is recording personalised messages for patients.
They have been given background scripts by the Cottagers’ charity so that they have some idea who they are talking to and what about.
The players’ messages will be going out to the patients at the Royal Marsden Hospital, the Children’s Trust and Shooting Star Chase along with the gifts.