Some of the Sky Blues squad and coaching staff visit the children at the Hospital in Walsgrave to hand out gifts...
Coventry City players put a smile on the faces of a number of children at the University Hospital in Coventry with their annual pre-Christmas visit.
Club Captain Samuel Ricketts, defender Jordan Willis, midfielder Andy Rose, shot stopper Lee Burge and goalkeeping coach Steve Ogrizovic visited the children’s ward to meet the children and their parents and to hand out some well-deserved gifts.
The players also visited the A&E centre, with a range of illnesses from cuts and bruises to a desperately saddening case of leukaemia – With many of these children spending the build-up to Christmas away from home, it was vital to spread as much festive cheer as possible.
As well as donating gifts from CCFC and signing autographs, the players all contributed to purchase TV’s and portable DVD players for the hospital, of which will be shared around the children’s wards for years to come.
Club captain Samuel Ricketts said: “We just play football, but at the end of the day I think it’s important to represent the city and do what we can to make these children feel better.
“It is important we came down to interact with the community and help in anyway we can. As players we all chipped in to buy some TV’s and some DVD players, so hopefully that helps those who are ill over Christmas.
Midfielder Andy Rose said: “Some of these kids are going through really tough times in their lives, so for us to come out and cheer them up a little, even if it’s only for 30 minutes, is the least we can do.
“It is great for us as players to interact with the community and we’re hopeful these children can get home in time for Christmas and enjoy their holidays.
“I’ve done stuff like this before and it’s hugely important for all of us to do our part and try to put a smile of these kids faces. We’ve brought along some presents and donated some items to the ward that can hopefully make them feel better in a difficult time.”