Grant McCann and captain Richard Wood dropped into the Children’s Ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary before Christmas to spread cheer to the young patients.
Joined by Brad Hey of Doncaster RLFC, the Belles’ Chloe Baren and Jack Payne of Club Doncaster Foundation, they spent an afternoon meeting youngsters and their families and handing out gifts on the ward.
Manager Grant McCann said: “Visiting the Children's Ward is always a highlight of our busy Christmas period and we're thankful to the staff and patients for giving us such a warm welcome.
“We met some wonderful characters on the visit and they put smiles on our faces as much as we did them. Spending any length of time in hospital is never easy and we appreciate that it is even more difficult at this time of the year so we hope we brought cheer for the kids and their families.”
The first team squad held a collection prior to the visit with Wood handing over a donation which will be used to purchase sensory equipment and educational toys for the ward.
Patients received a bumper gift package thanks to kind donations from multiple sources.
The Foundation provided presents for all those on the ward while dozens of soft toys were also delivered to children’s departments across the hospital following the charity community organisation’s highly successful Christmas Teddy Appeal.
Our technical and retail partners Elite Pro Sports provided more gifts of Rovers merchandise while parents of players from the Academy donated selection boxes.
And further toys and games were donated after being gifted by attendees of a Christmas lunch event for the 100Club commercial partners at the Eco-Power Stadium.
McCann said: “We’re incredibly thankful for all those who contributed to the gift packages. We are proud to work alongside incredible people who have shown great generosity.”
Play and activity leader at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Maxine Deakin said: “We can’t thank the players and the organisers of this visit enough for the difference they have made today.
"Spending time in hospital is always difficult, but this is especially true for children who are receiving inpatient care over the Christmas period.
"This visit took their minds off their illnesses and treatments for a little while and brought some cheer to their day – and they certainly have a story to tell now."
