Despite Covid-19 having an impact on in-person hospital visits for a second year, players from the men’s and women’s teams were still able to send a little Christmas cheer to staff and patients at Kingston Hospital and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital.
In keeping with the club’s annual tradition, the Foundation sent Chelsea gift bags full of exciting goodies to children on the wards at both hospitals to lift their spirits. Chelsea Women’s Fran Kirby and Lauren James also sent video messages to the children and their families at Kingston Hospital, while Antonio Rudiger put smiles on the faces of children at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital by surprising them with his own personalised messages.
Following the postponement of Chelsea Women’s final game of 2021, more than 500 mince pies were distributed to front-line workers in the local area to boost staff morale and thank them for their hard work and dedication.
One parent of a child in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was overjoyed at the Christmas message, saying: ‘I just want to say a huge thank you for organising the message from Rudiger. Eddie was so thrilled, I wish you could have seen the smile on his face when he was watching it.’
Kerry Huntington, fundraising director of CW+, the charity for Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘We are so fortunate to have the ongoing support of Chelsea Foundation. Our young patients have been delighted to receive gifts and personalised video messages from the club and players this Christmas.
‘2021 has been another challenging year and these thoughtful touches have been particularly well received and appreciated by not just the children, but their families and the staff who care for them.
‘We would like to thank everyone at Chelsea for their continued generosity, which brings smiles to the faces of so many.’
Tracey Shaw, fundraising manager at Kingston Hospital Charity, said: ‘We want to say a sincere thank you to everyone at Chelsea FC from all of the staff and children at Kingston Hospital.
‘For a child, staying in hospital can be a frightening experience and even more upsetting at Christmas time. To receive a special present from Chelsea makes them feel incredibly special.
‘For a club as prestigious as Chelsea to support our Paediatric service means so much to our staff and really boosts morale at a time when the NHS is under so much pressure. A heartfelt thanks to everyone at Chelsea!’
Everybody at Chelsea Foundation would like to wish the staff and patients at both hospitals a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.