Published on: 18 December 2019
South Shields Football Club gained some new fans on a visit to South Tyneside District Hospital to deliver Christmas gifts for young patients.
Players and staff brought along sackfuls of toys and games – and footballs, of course – to spread festive cheer in the children’s day unit and children’s emergency department.
Donations flooded in from supporters, players and staff in response to the club’s charitable foundation’s appeal for Christmas presents for children being treated at the hospital.
Jon Shaw, caption of the first team and head of professional development for the club’s academy, said: “Our club is getting bigger and, linked to that, we want to build upon our relationship with the local community. We thought there was no better way to do that than by bringing some happiness to children who are having to spend some time in hospital at such a special time of year. Everyone involved with the club has been really excited about it and we’ve been amazed at the number of gifts which have been given.”
Derek Curry, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Directorate Manager for Paediatrics, said: “We are very grateful for the generosity shown by all at South Shields FC. It is fantastic that our local club wanted to do something for our young patients who were thrilled by their visit.”
