3/1 To Win
Derby County’s players made their annual visit to the Children’s Hospital at the Royal Derby Hospital earlier this month.
Members of Derby’s first-team squad made their trip to the Hospital on Tuesday 4th December, following their morning training session, to spread some early festive cheer.
Richard Keogh, Mason Mount, Mason Bennett, Jayden Bogle, Fikayo Tomori, Scott Carson, Tom Huddlestone, David Nugent, Craig Bryson and Tom Lawrence were joined by Chief Executive Officer Stephen Pearce and club mascot Rammie on the day.
Derby’s players made a donation from their wages, alongside a contribution from the club, in order to purchase a number of items for both the Hospital and their patients.
These included:
- x2 new iPads
- A variety of DVDs
- A selection of PS4, Nintendo Switch & Wii games
- New PS4 and Nintendo Switch controllers for the consoles purchased last year
- A variety of Lego sets
- Little Tikes Basketball set
- My First Balance Bikes
- x8 new Bean Bag recliners for the Teen Pride Suite
- A variety of sensory items, including bubble lamps, light projectors, rope lights and bubble machines
- A selection of new board games
- A selection of up to date books
The players visited the Teen Pride Suite and enjoyed playing pool and table football with the young patients, while they also went to visit the Children’s wards.
On the Puffin Ward a number of players participated in the creation of Christmas arts and crafts with the children, whilst a selection of the Rams’ squad were split into groups and visited the Dolphin, Sunflower and Neonatal Wards.
As the players were visiting the various wards they handed Derby County items from the DCFCMegastore, as well as selection boxes.
Midfielder Craig Bryson, who is the Rams’ longest serving player after joining in 2011, said: “It’s nice to come and see the children, especially at this time of the year.
“It’s not nice for anyone, especially youngsters, to spend their Christmas in Hospital so if we can come and brighten up their day then we’re more than happy to do that.
“It’s good to be able to do that and hopefully being here for an hour or two can help take their mind off things if possible.”
Defender Richard Keogh, another long-serving member of the squad, commented: “Christmas is a time to spend with your family and loved ones, so I can only imagine it’s not nice for the youngsters to be facing the prospect of spending it in Hospital.
“The people here at the Hospital are amazing and coming here is an opportunity to try and put some smiles on faces.”
Goalkeeper Scott Carson, a father of four himself, added: “I know how the children feel about Christmas so it’s great to come down and try to spread some festive cheer.
“We make this visit every year and while it’s only an hour or two that we’re here, we all hope we can put a smile on people’s faces and offer a bit of belief too.
“I’m very fortunate my four children are all healthy and at home for this time of year. It must be so tough to be in Hospital during Christmas.”
On loan Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount said: “It has been brilliant to come down and speak to all the kids to try and lift their spirits.
“We all wanted to come in and do this.”
Academy graduate Jayden Bogle, who is enjoying his first year as a professional footballer, added: “We all know that kids love Christmas time so as a player at Derby County it’s important to come to the Hospital and try to give something back to our community.
“It’s my first visit as a player and I know how important it is to everyone at the club.”
