‘A wonderful surprise’: Lifelong Charlton Athletic fan receives festive visit in hospital
A lifelong Charlton Athletic fan who is currently being treated in hospital for cancer got a surprise visit from his favourite team this week.
Charlton Athletic Football Club’s women’s and men’s teams visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Stadium Road, Woolwich, yesterday to spread festive cheer to patients and colleagues.
George Farmer, a patient in the Macmillan Brook Cancer Unit, said: “This visit was such a wonderful surprise.
“As a lifelong Charlton fan, it really lifted my spirits.”
Players and staff from the club arrived with sacks of gifts and boxes of chocolates, distributing them to patients and hospital colleagues.
Greg Docherty, Charlton captain and midfielder, said: “It’s really special for us to visit Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and as footballers, we’re in a privileged position to make a positive impact on so many lives.
“The staff here are doing great things, and we’re proud to be a real community club.
“Coming to the hospital and seeing the smiles on the faces of the patients and staff really makes us appreciate the chance to spread some Christmas cheer.”
During the visit, the footballers also made stops at the children’s wards, meeting Ava Ojo and Luke Easter on the Safari Ward.
Ava’s mum said: “It was such an unexpected visit, and the players were so friendly. When she returns to school, she’ll be excited to tell all the boys in her class that she met the Charlton football players.”
Luke’s mother said the visit gave her son “a real boost”.
She added: “Charlton Football Club does so much for our community, and it’s fantastic that the players came to visit. The present was a lovely gesture.”
Staff also shared their gratitude for the visit.
Judy Parker, health play specialist on the Hippo Ward, said: “A huge thank-you to the women’s and men’s Charlton Athletic teams for their wonderful visits to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“The players were truly fantastic, embracing everything with care and compassion. They gave their time wholeheartedly, and the smiles on our patients’ faces say it all.”
Earlier this month, the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Charity launched its annual toy appeal to spread some festive cheer to young patients who will be too ill to go home to their families over Christmas.
The appeal invites communities to donate toys for children who will be spending Christmas in Queen Elizabeth Hospital(QEH) and University Hospital Lewisham (UHL).
Click here to make a difference this Christmas. Christmas Toy Appeal 2024 | Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Charity
Pictured top: George Farmer with Charlton players (Picture: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Charity)