Iron players make annual festive hospital visit

Members of the Iron squad visited the Disney Ward of Scunthorpe General Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

They took with them a wealth of gifts, which were funded by the players, the football club and Scunthorpe United’s Community Sports and Education Trust. 

A number of items were bought specifically for the ward to be enjoyed by all the children who unfortunately have to spend time there at any point during a calendar year.

This year the ward requested specific items to be enjoyed by the inpatients at any point, with three Nintendo DS’ purchased with a number of games, while a number of DVDs also accompanied a portable DVD player.

Those who were unfortunate to be current impatients all received presents directly, with a bag full of toys, puzzles, stickers, club merchandise and games.

For those who were inpatients on the ward and in the children’s outpatient section, it provided smiles all-round. 

Iron forward Abo Eisa was one of the players who journeyed to Scunthorpe General Hospital. He said: “It always gives you great satisfaction giving them gifts and seeing the joy on their faces. Christmas is a good time and everyone deserves to feel good at Christmas. To show that they’re getting support from other people as well will hopefully make them a bit happier and them going home for Christmas will be the best present for them.”

Meanwhile, fellow winger Alex Gilliead added: “It’s always good to come down and see the kids and the staff down here to hand out a few presents and to try and put a few smiles on their faces at what is a difficult time for them. It’s not the easiest thing to experience, but all the lads are happy to help out every year and happy to come down.”

Kimberley Codling, who works at the hospital, said: “(We) really can’t praise Scunthorpe United enough for the things they do for us on (the) Disney Ward. The visits at christmas really do cheer the children up (also make me very happy)!”

Nicky Curtis, who also works at Scunthorpe General Hospital, last year said: “As a whole, for the ward it’s hugely positive. The kids and staff get excited and look forward to it, and all the different things the players have done has been fantastic. We’re really grateful. We know Scunthorpe United never fail us. The players always come and see the kids, and everyone gets excited about it and it lifts the whole place.”

Click here to see a freeview video from the day on iFollow Iron.