Players bring festive joy with virtual hospital visits

Our players helped to spread some Christmas cheer as they paid virtual visits to children at local hospitals last week.

Christmas presents were delivered for patients on the children’s wards, along with gifts, courtesy of some of the Club’s partners, for the heroic hospital staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, including treats from Cadbury, Molton Brown and Getir.

Due to the current circumstances, players were unable to visit the hospitals in person as is annual tradition.

Instead, Harry Kane, Hugo Lloris, Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon took part in video calls with four local hospitals; North Middlesex University Hospital just down the road from our stadium in north London, The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone and Whittington Hospital in Islington.

Speaking after the calls, Harry said: “It was great to be able to spend time with some patients and watch them open their presents. Hopefully we’ve been able to help raise their spirits and get them excited for Christmas. On behalf of everyone at the Club, we want to say a huge thank you to all the incredible NHS staff who have worked tirelessly during these challenging times.”

Heather Roberts, Ward Manager at Whipps Cross Hospital, said: “I have been working on Acorn Ward for 13 Christmases and the Spurs visit is always a highlight of the season. Unfortunately, the team have not been able to attend the last two years, but they have made every effort to still send in gifts and messages for the patients and staff. Patients were thrilled to be able to speak with Eric, to ask him questions and to thank him and the team for their wonderful gifts. We wish everyone at Spurs a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you all again for the wonderful gifts.”

Dr Nnenna Osuji, Chief Executive of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, said: “I would like to thank Tottenham Hotspur Football Club for all the presents they have donated to children in our care and to staff. It has given everyone a big boost at a time when they need it, and we can’t thank them enough. I also want to say a special thank you to Hugo, who took time out of his day to lift the spirits of some of our patients by calling them. The Club has provided such fantastic support including during the pandemic, and we remain delighted to work with them as key partners.”

Kelly Parker, paediatrics matron at The Princess Alexandra Hospital, said: “We were delighted to virtually greet Harry Kane. The festive season can often be a challenging time for our patients and their families, so this welcome surprise helped to lift their spirits and put a warm smile on their faces. We cannot thank Spurs enough for their generous gifts – it means the world to our patients, their loved ones and our hard-working team. Thank you for thinking of us.”

Siobhan Harrington, Chief Executive at Whittington Health NHS Trust, said: “We are very thankful to Tottenham Hotspur Football club for providing some Christmas joy to our young patients and staff on our children’s wards. While we continue to be extremely busy across services, it’s important for us to come together and support each other.”