Players And Staff Deliver Presents To Children
Shrewsbury Town in the Community provided festive cheer to children and staff at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford on Tuesday afternoon.
Manager Micky Mellon, along with first team players Mat Sadler, James Collins, Scott Vernon, Jermaine Grandison and fitness coach Andy Hodgen, took the presents the children in the ward at the hospital wanted.
Shrewsbury Town mascot Lenny the Lion also went along, and some of the children may be spending Christmas day at the hospital.
Shrewsbury Town in the Community donated £100 of goods, Toys R Us also matched that by donating £100 of goods and the Shrewsbury Town Club Shop donated a generous amount of items.
Shrewsbury Town in the Community manager Jamie Edwards said: "We try and do as much as we can over Christmas.
"The players are really busy with their increased game schedule but we’ve already done the Christmas Carol concert at Shrewsbury Abbey last week.
"We went to the children’s ward in Telford to give out some presents and make sure all the players see the children that might not make it home for Christmas day.
"It give sthe people in the ward a bit of a lift as well. We took presents, as a surprise, for the nurses because we always come here for the children but forget about the people who are working so hard over Christmas.
"It’s a time that you really want to be with your family but some people don’t have the choice so if we can help in any way possible then that’s great."
The presents donated included bibs, baby grows, calendars, scarves, DVDs, PS3 games, Xbox One games, board games, teddy bears and t-shirts.
Town manager Micky Mellon feels it is important to carry out these visits every year and that it is a very humbling experience.
He said: "We enjoy coming down and seeing the kids and it’s important at this time of year that we spare the time and give a little bit of support to the parents as well.
"It’s a tough time of the year to be in hospital so it’s just nice for them to know that we care and we want to come down and say hello.
"We come down every year just to offer a bit of support and try and put a smile on everybody’s faces. It makes it worthwhile."
Striker Collins, who became a dad for the first time 11 weeks ago, said: "You see how lucky you really are and give the kids some Christmas presents that might not get home for Christmas and be with their families.
" It’s a real eye opener to come up and see what other people are going through.
"It’s very humbling, especially having just had a baby myself, I realise how lucky we are to have him home the same day so I really wish all the families well and hope they all get better soon."
Jodie Frost, play practitioner at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, said: "It is about making children happy and bringing festive cheer them.
"A lot of these children have been in hospital for a long time and it’s nice for Shrewsbury Town to come and see them when they are poorly to make them feel better.
"They enjoyed the footballers being here. It’s brought a smile to all their faces as well as their mums and dads too.
"I want to thank Shrewsbury Town very much for coming here today and taking the time to spread festive cheer around the children’s ward."