Ahead of their Saturday game against Limavady United, players and members from East Belfast’s Harland and Wolff Welders football team delighted children and their parents with a surprise visit to the Ulster Hospital’s Paediatric wards.
Players Lewis Patterson, Ewan McCoubrey and Coach Martin McKenzie – who did the Santa honours, spent time on the wards delivering selection boxes and books much to the delight of the children who will be spending the festive period in the Unit over Christmas.
In between his Santa rounds, Coach Martin McKenzie described how “humbling” it was to spend time on the wards. “Being part of the Welders team, it is quite humbling to come up, to the Ulster Hospital and we are really happy to do so. By visiting, it is our way of giving something back. Being an East Belfast club and with the hospital being part of that it is a way of giving something back to the communities,” said Martin.
Martin continued, “It does bring a lot of happiness to you personally, seeing children in hospital is a sad thing at any time of year, seeing them at Christmas is really sad but seeing a smile on their faces when we came in made it all worthwhile.”
Lewis Patterson echoed Martin’s sentiments. “We wanted to try and bring a bit of joy to the children and as Martin said, seeing their faces made it all really worth it. The kids want to be home waiting for Santa coming but if can make their day one, two, even five per cent better, then it is worth the visit.”
Early Childhood Studies placement student Sasha White added, “It meant a lot, especially to the children as the visit really brightened up their day. It was such a special experience and such a surprise as they didn’t know that the players were coming. It was really lovely.”
