Brentford Footballers Pay Festive Visit to Children's Ward

Six championship stars hand out presents at West Middlesex Hospital

Although it is not universally accepted that Santa wears red and white because he is a Brentford fan, footballers who usually play in those colours have been filling his role at West Middlesex University Hospital.

Six Brentford First Team players spread a little festive cheer at the Children’s Ward at the Isleworth hospital this week. The visit has become a tradition with gifts collected by Brentford Football Club handed over to children who have to spend Christmas in hospital.

Denmark’s Olympic Football Captain Lasse Vibe and Sam Saunders, Brentford’s longest-serving player, were joined by Yoann Barbet, Daniel Bentley, John Egan and Sullay Kaikai to deliver presents and meet the children on the ward on Tuesday, 20 December. Assistant Head Coach Richard O’Kelly joined them for the trip. And on Thursday Brentford’s B Team will also be paying a visit, donating more gifts, signing autographs and posing for pictures. The donated gifts came from supporters, staff and players and, as usual, there was a large collection of toys handed over.

Lasse, 29, said: “It is always special to help kids that aren’t very well. It is nice to brighten up their day and get them in the Christmas spirit. I have stayed in hospitals with my kids and it is not fun, so anything we can do to brighten up their day is great. We hope we have been able to leave people with smiles on their faces. It is the least that we could do and it’s nice to be able to do it at this time of year.”

Cat Medlycott, ward sister on the children’s unit, who was there to greet the players said: “We are so grateful to Brentford Football Club and especially the players for coming to visit us and spread some festive cheer to our patients and staff. Leading up to their visit the staff in the department have been really excited and when the players arrived they were so good with the children and their families, spending time chatting with them and giving presents out. It really brightened up the day for everyone.”

December 21, 2016