Foxes Stars Spread Christmas Cheer At Royal Infirmary
A treasured Leicester City tradition, the likes of Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi and Conor Coady joined women stars Missy Goodwin, Janina Leitzig and CJ Bott – plus many others – to tour the various children’s wards at the hospital in the heart of the city centre.
Starting in children’s outpatients and making their way through wards, including the children’s day care and high-dependency units, the Foxes contingent were there to spend time with children who may have to spend Christmas in hospital rather than at home with their families.
The Club's annual visit also brings joy to hospital staff, who often have to work long, tiring hours at the height of Christmas, treating some of the city's most poorly children.
Filbert Fox was also there to make the short trip from King Power Stadium to the Royal Infirmary, with sacks full of presents, funded by the Club’s two First Team squads.
Included among the gifts were PlayStation 5 games, sensory equipment, Nintendo Switches and games, and arts, crafts and boardgames to make the young patients’ experience at hospital more enjoyable as they receive treatment.
All children visited, meanwhile, also received a bag bursting with Leicester City merchandise, including cuddly Filbert Fox toys, pens, calendars and water bottles. In all, the Foxes players ended the day having spent time with hundreds of children across the many wards.
Alan ‘The Birch’ Birchenall said: “It makes me immensely happy to know that Leicester City continue to place such importance on this very special Christmas tradition at the Club.
“I’ve been on so many hospital visits in my time at the Club and I’ve seen first-hand the impact it can make to the children, seeing our players give up their time to go and visit them.
“Christmas is a time for family and very sadly some of the children in hospital this December might not get to spend Christmas Day at home.
“It means a great deal to us to be able to visit them and make sure we do whatever we can to make their hospital stay more enjoyable. I’d also like to pay tribute to the wonderful staff at the Royal Infirmary for the service they provide at such a challenging time of year.
“They are the best of us – providing excellent care despite everything – and I’m so pleased Leicester City continues to play our own role in helping them meet those challenges.”