Hospital trip kicks off Christmas for kids

Guernsey manager Tony Vance, his number two Colin Fallaize and several members of their Ryman South squad have been helping to put the smiles back on the faces of some very sick children as the festive period gets underway.

On Sunday, the Green Lions hosted a Christmas party on their annual visit to children at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital who visit regularly for ongoing treatment for long-term illnesses.

Many of the players also brought their own children along to join in the Christmas games which also saw assistant manager Fallaize team up with club mascot Roary the Lion to judge a colouring competition and hand out the prizes afterwards.

Club captain Sam Cochrane told the club's website on Monday that it was important for the Green Lions to give the children a boost at Christmas, something they've done since the club was formed.

He said: "As Guernsey representatives we pride ourselves on being a community club. It is fantastic we can make time to do this sort of thing. We want to help and cheer up these young children, they really enjoy it and it's part of our responsibility to the community to do these sort of events."

Guernsey director Sara Mallett thought the visits, first suggested by goalkeeper Chris Tardif who did similar trips as a professional with clubs such as Portsmouth and Oxford, meant a lot to the children. "These players are idols to these children and it gives them a real boost to spend time with them," she said.

Tardif added: "It's an unwritten rule and a lot of teams do it. I love doing it. It means even more to me now that I am a parent. What's a couple of hours of our day to come and do this? community is what this club is all about, and what better way to show that than by doing this?"

Sandy Mallett, the leading oncology nurse on the Frossard Ward where the party was held, thanked the club and the players for hosting the event.

"Thankfully there aren't many children in Guernsey who need regular hospital treatment but it is a real lift for the children that do," said the nurse.

"They also went upstairs to see a boy called Ernie, who was too ill to come down, and he was really chuffed. I think the players bringing their children too helps them realise how lucky they are."

Image courtesy of Scott Fusellier

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