Players from Burton Albion Football Club pay special Christmas visit to Queen’s Hospital Burton

Players and staff from Burton Albion Football Club brought some festive joy to patients at Queen’s Hospital Burton last week, as part of their annual Christmas visit.

First team players including Ryan Sweeney, Elliott Ward, Mason Bennett, and goalkeeper Max Crocombe were joined by Burton Albion Women’s FC players, Shanae Thomas and Charlotte Jarvus as the Brewers paid their annual Christmas visit to children and adult wards.

The visit saw the players spend time signing cards, chatting about football and meeting patients being cared for at the hospital. Players and staff took time to pose for photos and interact with staff and patients, making the day memorable for everyone involved.

The visit was arranged by Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity as part of their work to enhance the patient and staff experience at University Hospitals of Derby & Burton Foundation Trust.

Club Captain Ryan Sweeney said: “As a community-based club, we know how important it is to support as many people as we can. This time of year, in particular, can be difficult for so many and hopefully we played even a small part in trying to help out.

“It was my first time visiting this hospital but having been at the club for a couple of years, I know how important it is that we do our bit. The patients were brilliant and incredibly positive despite everything, and the staff were amazing too.”

Women’s first team captain Charlotte Jarvis said: “I really enjoyed the visit to the hospital; everyone was really welcoming and happy to have us there. I think it’s really important that us, as players, give back to the community that support us day in day out and that’s exactly what we aimed to do last week by putting smiles on the faces of everybody there. “It definitely seemed to raise some spirits and I’m very grateful we got the chance to do it,” she said.

Jill Matthews, Chief Officer at Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity said: “The visit by Burton Albion Football Club to our hospital in Burton is always a huge highlight in the Christmas calendar. We are so grateful that the team and staff took time out of their busy schedules to spend time giving out gifts and chatting to patients.”

“The visit brought a lot of joy to our patients and staff as, being in hospital, especially during the run up to the festive season, can be difficult for some patients. Having a chance to meet the players from Burton Albion, really does lift their spirits. I want to thank everyone at the club for taking the time to visit and for all the lovely gifts.”

For more information about Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity and how we are helping to support patients and staff this Christmas, please visit our news page.