Foxes Squad Spread Festive Cheer At Leicester Royal Infirmary
- Leicester City players visited children at Leicester Royal Infirmary this week
- The squad handed out gifts to patients on the various wards
- Filbert Fox was also in attendance on Monday
Christmas can be a tough time for children and families who have to spend the festive season in hospital, but Leicester City’s men's senior squad were on hand to spread some cheer this week.
Gifts such as Playstation 5s, Nintendo Switches, TVs, DVDs and sensory equipment were all given to the hospital, while 200 children also received a backpack full of LCFC merchandise, including cuddly Filbert Fox toys, pens, calendars and water bottles - all personally delivered by the players.
The squad visited several departments, including the Children’s Cardiac Ward, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Outpatients, Oncology and Children’s Day Care.
Speaking during his first trip to the hospital, Foxes forward Patson Daka talked through the significance of the visit and why their presence was so meaningful.
“It’s been a great time,” the Zambia striker said. “Of course, it’s good to see the kids, it’s always nice to see and I’m sure they didn’t expect it. I think it’s been a great experience.
“And just being here, it’s the last thing you think of, that you’re going to meet Leicester players and for them to have this surprise, I think it has been amazing and a big positive for them.
“It’s also giving us time to reflect and realise how important it is to stay healthy and appreciate every moment that you get. It’s an eye opener for us to connect with the kids, give them back hope that everything is going to be fine.
“At least we gave them some gifts to let them know that even if they aren’t at home and here instead, they can still have Christmas. I hope that it can also give them that feeling of not being left out, knowing that they have always got people out there who care for them and think about them.”
Club Mascot Filbert Fox was also on hand to delight the young patients throughout the afternoon, and Kamlesh Mistry, Event Fundraising Manager at University Hospitals of Leicester, told LCFC.com how the visit has made a difference to many of the patients and parents.
He commented: “It was great seeing the Leicester City players once again this year supporting the children at Leicester Royal Infirmary. The children got to see their football heroes, which put a smile on their faces and just lifted them up, making them feel a lot better.”