Chelsea hospital visit

The Chelsea FC first team squad made a surprise visit to London’s University College Hospital this week (Wednesday 12 December) to bring some extra Christmas cheer to those children and young people with cancer and leukaemia who are expected to be in hospital during the festive period.

The twelve players brought gifts for everyone, and stayed for over an hour chatting with the children and young people and their families, as well as hospital staff.

Joe, 15, from Canning Town, who is currently being treated for cancer said: “It was great to meet the players. Staying in hospital can be really boring, and the treatment can be horrible, so anything that can take your mind off that is a great thing. I met Petr Cech, Andriy Shevchenko and Salomon Kalou, and they each signed my poster.  I am big football fan, and am going to the match at Chelsea on Sunday, so it was great to be able to chat to the players personally; it really brightened up my afternoon.”

Chelsea’s CLIC Sargent Ambassador Petr Cech said: “We enjoy visits like this. Our relationship with CLIC Sargent has helped hundreds of children and their families cope with cancer as well as employing nurses, social workers and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds. We try and take every opportunity we can to get to meet the children and young people that the money helps.   When you get to meet the children and see what they’re going through we become even more inspired to help them.”

Rodney Gray, Manager of CLIC Sargent’s Social Work Team at University College Hospital, said: “Visits like this really help boost the morale of those children and young people who are undergoing treatment for cancer, and who are facing the very real prospect of being in hospital for Christmas.  Each of the children had the opportunity to meet the players and have a chat with them; it was lovely to see!”

CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity. It provides support and care in the hospital, the home and in the community for the 10 children and young people diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. 

<ENDS>

Pictures to accompany this story are available on request. They show the 12 Chelsea players,  Cech, Cudicini, Makelele, Carvalho, Shevchenko, Pizarro, Malouda, Kalou,  Essien, Mikel, Ballack and Ferreira meeting children and young people at London’s University College Hospital.  To request a picture call the CLIC Sargent media team on 0117 314 8620 / 8617 / 8621 or email: mediarelations@clicsargent.org.uk

Notes to Editor:

• For more information contact the CLIC Sargent media team on 0117 314 8620 / 8617 / 8621 or email: mediarelations@clicsargent.org.uk   
• CLIC Sargent’s relationship with Chelsea was launched at Stamford Bridge in April 2005. Now in its third year the partnership has already raised over £600,000 for CLIC Sargent with more exciting developments planned in the coming year.
top of page