Derby County Women’s Team spend time with patients in hospital
Players and staff from Derby County Women’s First Team made a special Christmas visit to the Royal Derby Hospital yesterday (Sunday 22, December) to spread festive cheer and give out gifts to patients along with their mascot Ewie.
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 and Burton Foundation Trust.
The players spent a couple of hours meeting young patients at the children’s hospital as well as visiting patients undergoing dialysis treatment on the Renal Unit.
“Making our annual visit to the hospital has been a humbling experience for everyone in the women’s team.

“Christmas is a time for kindness and connection and we hope that, having the players on site, for a few hours lifted some spirits. It was great to see the patients and staff smiling and enjoying the chats.” said Dave Marriott, visit coordinator for Derby County Women.
Jill Matthews, Chief Officer at Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity said: “We are so grateful that the players and staff from the Derby County Women’s Team gave up their time at the weekend to donate gifts and visit The Royal Derby Hospital. Seeing them chatting, spending time with patients in our children’s hospital and on our Renal Unit was lovely to see. This type of visit has a positive impact on our patients and staff and it’s moments like these that make a real difference to our patients and staff, especially at this time of the year.”
During the visit, the players and staff gifted some portable DVD players and films to both the children’s hospital and the Renal Unit.
The charity hopes to work with more local sports clubs in 2025 to enable them to increase the engagement with staff and patients.
To find out how you can help support Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity visit our get involved page.