Stevenage FC first team players and scholars joined staff and Boro Bear at the Lister Hospital tonight, spreading Christmas cheer among local children.
The annual visit, organised by the Supporters Association, saw Chris Day, Mark Hughes, Jamie McCombe, Fraser Franks, Adam Marriott, Rohdell Gordon, Dale Gorman, Dipo Akinyemi and Ryan Johnson join first team coach Darren Sarll and scholars Matt Smyth, Michael Cregan, Jacob Croud, Matt Smyth and Ben Jackson in visiting the Bluebell Ward and children's A&E department.
As well as chatting to young patients and their families, the players handed out presents (supplied by the SA) and pizza (supplied by Papa Johns) and happily posed for photos during their hour-long visit.
After the visit goalkeeper Chris Day said, “It was a real pleasure for us to visit the Lister and meet youngsters and their families. Each year is a humbling experience as we meet many children who find themselves in hospital during the festive period. Fortunately we encountered lots of smiling faces during our visit and we hope our presents and pizza went some way to bringing joy to both the youngsters and of course the hard-working nurses and staff.
"We wish them all a very Merry Christmas and good health.”
The Club would once again like to thank Claire Hickey, Jackie Berners and Jenny Dowden for organising the event on behalf of the Supporters Association.
Fraser Franks and Darren Sarll get stuck in with a jigsaw puzzle
Adam Marriott and Rohdell Gordon with some colouring
Jacob Croud with a youngster in the Bluebell Ward
Mark Hughes and Matt Smyth speak to a youngster and his mum
Boro Bear with hospital staff
Boro Bear with another youngster in Children's A&E
The lads meet one young patient
Thanks to Papa Johns, who supplied pizza for this evening's visit