“This visit was all about bringing some Christmas joy. It was great to have the team spending so much time on the unit giving a much-needed boost to patients and staff.”
Sheffield United players paid a warm welcome to Northern General Hospital’s palliative care unit, bringing holiday happiness and gifts to staff, relatives, and patients, including one Blades superfan.
The Blades icon Tony Currie joined Oli McBurnie, Benie Traore, Auston Trusty, Wes Foderingham, Ben Osborn, Matt Duke, Molly Graham, and Tamara Wilcock for the event, which was hosted by Sheffield Hospitals Charity.
One patient, who is just 28 years old, has a wish to be buried in a Sheffield United shirt, and so the visiting players got together to sign and present a shirt to her.
“The winter months are a really tough time for the NHS,” said Beth Crackles, Chief Executive Officer of Sheffield Hospitals Charity.
“The purpose of this visit was to spread some Christmas cheer. It was fantastic to have the team spend so much time on the unit, providing patients and staff a much-needed lift.”
The players interacted with patients, family, and staff, giving out presents and signing autographs while also forming handprints for a piece of artwork for the hospital.
Dave McCarthy, Head of Operations for Sheffield United FC said: “It was great to be able to send players from both our men’s and women’s squads out to visit the local hospital and hospice.
“They are all nominated charities of the Blades.
“The players enjoyed meeting patients, their families, staff, and volunteers, having photos taken with them, spending time talking football and finding out about the work each organisation undertakes.”