Tottenham Hotspur players spread Christmas cheer at Barnet Hospital

10 December 2014

Four Tottenham Hotspur stars came to Barnet Hospital on Tuesday to give an early Christmas present to patients in the children and neonatal wards. 

Spurs captain Younes Kaboul was joined by teammates Eric Dier and Michel Vorm, and Tottenham Ladies’ Leanne Mabey at Barnet Hospital where they handed out gifts, signed autographs and posed for selfies with patients, families and even some staff on the Galaxy children’s ward and the Starlight neonatal ward.

Lifelong Spurs fan Charlotte Cummings, who also played for the club’s under 9 and under 10 squads, had been meeting with her medical team when the players arrived, and almost had to make do with a photo of 6ft2in Younes Kaboul lying in her hospital bed next to a giant Teddy bear.

But thankfully the 15-year-old arrived back in the closing seconds of the players’ visit, just in time for a last-minute photo.

She said: “It was such an unexpected surprise to see them here but it was really nice.

“I think it is a really good thing to do. It would make anyone feel better, even if you’re not a Spurs fan.”

Arsenal fan Harry Flitterman was happy to see the players and pose for a photo, although he couldn’t resist the urge to hold up five and two fingers – a gentle reminder of the Gunners’ back-to-back 5-2 victories over Spurs in 2012.

During their visit the Tottenham players spent hours talking to patients and their families and were overwhelmed by the reception they received.

Eric said: "This is my first time visiting the local hospitals around Christmas time and it was great to meet the families and kids. Some of them are having a really tough time so it was nice to be able to come here and put smiles on their faces."

Galaxy ward play specialist Jill De Graag said: “The players were really good fun and they really made the effort to speak to every one of the patients.

“I think the patients absolutely loved it – even the ones who support Arsenal. One boy had been so down and it was just lovely to see him smile. His face just changed when they arrived.

“It’s brilliant that they do this. It really lifts the spirits in the ward.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Images available on request.

Media contacts: Call Daniel O’Brien on 020 7317 7740 or email daniel.obrien1@nhs.net.

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London.