'Big smiles all around on the ward' as Glentoran players bring Christmas cheer to young patients at the Ulster Hospital
Footballers at Glentoran delivered festive cheer and presents during a recent trip to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.
The Glentoran players and staff were welcomed to the Craig Ward Unit by members of the Ulster Hospital’s paediatric team, who facilitated visits throughout a unit that provides essential treatment and support for young people from birth up to 16 years old.
The group spent part of the afternoon meeting young patients and their families, taking photographs, signing autographs and handing out gifts to help lift spirits in the run-up to Christmas.
Representing the men’s first team were club captain Marcus Kane, last season’s top goalscorer Jordan Jenkins, supporters’ favourite Jordan Stewart and forward Nathaniel Ferris. The women’s squad were represented by Chloe McCarron, Faye Loughran and manager Kim Turner.
“It was a privilege for us to visit the children and families at the Ulster Hospital,” said Glentoran captain Kane.
"Playing for Glentoran gives us a platform to do good and days like this remind you how important that is. The positivity shown by the young people we met was inspiring and we were delighted to bring even a small bit of joy to them during what can be a difficult time.
“As a father, I know how helpless you can feel when your children are unwell and you’d do anything to make them feel better. I hope our visit today helped in some small way. Glentoran is a massive part of this community and it’s important we take the time to give something back. I hope every family we met today goes on to have a healthy and happy Christmas.”
All gifts were generously sponsored by Alan Cooke of Strangford Consulting, enabling Glentoran to provide a mix of age-appropriate items from storybooks and art sets to sensory toys, journals and mini craft kits to children across the unit.
Emma Morrison, Paediatric Nurse at Ulster Hospital said: “It is brilliant to see the team here with us and see a smile on the children’s faces. The team have brought a lot of toys, art sets and mini craft kits for the children and it is great for the team to come and spread some holiday cheer for those families who are going through one of the hardest times. A lot of young patients are big fans of the team and it was very much a case of big smiles all around on the ward.”