The Town players began their annual Christmas hospital visits this afternoon with members of the squad spending time and handing out presents at St Elizabeth Hospice and Ipswich Hospital.

In the next few days they will also be at EACH (East Anglia's Children's Hospices), Colchester Hospital and West Suffolk Hospital and St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds.

Jordan Roberts, Emyr Huws and Tom Adeyemi were at St Elizabeth Hospice, while Cole Skuse, Dean Gerken and Gwion Edwards (pictured below) visited the children’s wards at Ipswich Hospital.

“It’s a player appearance that you get queues for because we’re only here for a little time but it’s something that should never be turned down because it’s a hugely important thing,” Skuse said.

“Being stuck in hospital over Christmas is tough for anyone at any time so for us to come in and hand out small gifts like we are and to bring a smile to kids' faces for a short period is a huge thing.

“It affects you emotionally. I don’t know if I’m speaking on behalf of all the lads, but for myself when I come here and see kids in their beds with wires and tubes, it’s a real, real tough thing to see.

“I’ve been through it myself with some of my little ones, it’s not nice at all so if we can be here for five or 10 minutes and help the mums and dads and put smiles on the little ones’ faces it’s the least we can do.

“It is very tough, not just for the children but for the parents as well to be stuck in here over Christmas is not nice for anyone, but for us to come in and see the children and keep them happy for a short period is a brilliant thing.”

Skuse, 32, says he can fully empathise with the parents having been in their position in the past with his own children.

“All three of my kids were born prematurely, my wife is diabetic so pregnancy wasn’t as straightforward as it should have been and they all had short spells in hospital in the early stages of their lives and it’s not nice at all,” he said.

The Bristolian says the visits put Town’s current on-field problems into perspective: “Of course, football is secondary when it comes to young children’s health.

“I hope everyone will agree with this, football-wise it’s a hugely disappointing time at the minute, we’re bottom of the league and it’s hugely disappointing for everyone, but when you’re off the football field and you’ve got a family of your own and you see people in situations like this with children that are needing help over Christmas, you really appreciate that football comes second to people’s lives and health.”

Photos: TWTD

Cakeman added 19:11 - Dec 10 Very pleased to see our club make these annual visits and to see the children smiling during what must be difficult times for them. Well done ITFC.
6

cat added 19:36 - Dec 10 Great to see the players giving something back to the community. They should have left the back 5 at home, give them a rest, as there been busy dishing out gifts since August.
5

Sourdough added 19:47 - Dec 10 These are heart-warming pictures, seeing beautiful children made happy and smiling. These players may not be cutting it in their professional life, but let's not forget they are good people. Here they are doing fine work and we should be grateful. The picture of Gerks smiling at the little fellow in the cot is touching. Pleased that Gerks didn't attempt to hold him. That may not have ended well.

3

TimmyH added 20:22 - Dec 10 Best bit of work the players have done this season!...as said good to see.
2

TimmyH added 20:26 - Dec 10 By the way Tom Adeyemi was visiting!?!...didn't have to travel far, from ward into another in one hospital I should think and then pushed down the A12 and A14 in his bed by the other lads!
3

Northstandveteran added 20:47 - Dec 10 Very well done I.T.F.C Clearly a heartfelt experience for the players that attended.
6

Lightningboy added 10:40 - Dec 11 Can't see Adeyemi in any of the above photos. Is he wearing his invisiblity kit?
2

thechangingman added 11:46 - Dec 11 Gestures like this put everything into perspective don't they? It's great to see the club doing this and my heart goes out to all those kids at this difficult time for them...
3

Dissboyitfc added 20:26 - Dec 11 Well done ITFC! Well said skusey
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls