As they do each festive season, the Huddersfield Town Football Club First Team players and coaches visited both CRH and HRI on Wednesday, 17th December, to deliver gift bags and spend time with children and colleagues before Christmas!
The First Team took time out to meet children, older adults, families and colleagues, handing out presents and gift bags full of items from their Club Shop whilst taking photos, signing autographs and helping to lift the spirits of children on the Neonatal and Children’s wards, as well as in the Outpatient Department and Paediatric ED.
The First Team players made a large additional donation of their own to CRH ED. Defender Seán Roughan worked closely with the Club to organise gifts such as games consoles, portable DVD players and sensory toys to be delivered after these were highlighted by our colleagues as being the most impactful things to have on hand for children of all ages.
Huddersfield Town Club Ambassador, Andy Booth, said: “Visiting the hospitals in our local areas each Christmas is such a wonderful tradition for us to maintain each season, and it’s always heartwarming to see how brilliant our First Team players and staff are at spreading joy and putting smiles on faces of the children, families and staff at what can be a difficult moment for all concerned.
“Being in hospital is always challenging, but it is especially so at this time of year. Handing out presents, taking some time and giving back to our community is what our Club is about, so I’d like to again thank our players and staff for representing Huddersfield Town so brilliantly, and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital for being so accommodating.”
Head of Charity and Volunteering, Emma Kovaleski, added: “Having the players and staff at Huddersfield Town visit each Christmas is something we look forward to at both hospitals at this time of year, and it goes without saying how much CHFT Charity appreciates the ongoing support from Huddersfield Town over such a long number of years.
“Working together, the way we can positively impact our local community is always heartwarming to see, and the reactions from children, families and colleagues throughout the visit makes what is an otherwise challenging time that little bit easier. The engagement from the players and coaches is always lovely to see, and for them to have made their own donation this season is incredibly generous - those gifts will make a hugely positive impact on those who will need it the most.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to all the team, coaches and staff at Huddersfield Town for visiting us at both hospitals and taking the time to share some much needed festive joy."
You can watch a video of the visit on the Huddersfield Town YouTube page. Or scroll to the bottom of this page to see a gallery of all the photos: FIRST TEAM VISIT CHILDREN’S WARDS AT LOCAL HOSPITALS FOR CHRISTMAS - Huddersfield Town FC