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Patients and families on our children’s wards were given an ‘incredible surprise’ earlier this month when players from the men’s and women’s Arsenal teams arrived to deliver Christmas gifts.
Gunners Martin Ødegaard, Mohamed Elneny, Jakub Kimor and Ben White made a visit to the Royal Free Hospital meeting and taking photos with children, families and staff on 6 north.
Joseph Addae, a 14-year-old super fan, said: “meeting players from the men’s team was a great surprise and it was incredible to see them in person not on the TV! They are great guys and an inspiration.”
Keen footballer Nirali, 10, from Woodside Park, was overjoyed to be introduced to her sporting heroes.
Her father Rahul said: “it was really special. It’s not ideal that Nirali is in hospital and had to miss Christmas jumper day at school but this has certainly brightened her day.”
Gunners fans Myles and his dad, Barry, were delighted to see their team in action off the pitch. Myles’s family have had season tickets for longer than he has been alive and he admitted he can’t wait to show off his new Arsenal hat, signed by skipper Martin Ødegaard, to his classmates.
Meanwhile at Barnet Hospital Naomi Williams, Teyah Goldie, Laura Wienroither, Gio Queiroz and Kim Little visited Galaxy Ward to hand out presents and sign autographs.
Among the patients they met, was Layla who is recovering from her broken arm. The players gave her a Play-Doh set, but she was even more excited to meet the team.
Siobhan McCurry, play specialist at the Royal Free Hospital, said: “it was great that the players could come and see us. It’s lovely for the children here to get a nice pick-me-up ahead of Christmas and they brought so many smiles to the children and staff on the ward.”
