Lancs Spread Christmas Cheer

Lancashire's players spread some early Christmas cheer through the wards of the Royal Manchester Children's hospital last Monday on the Club's festive visit.

Peter Moores and Gary Yates attended the hospital with nine members of the Lancashire squad who gave presents to the youngsters who are in hospital at this time of the year.

The players and coaching staff split into two groups and made their way through the wards, speaking to the patients and their families, with Sajid Mahmood even finding time to play on the Nintendo Wii with patients before helping the children decorate their Christmas tree.

Angela Harris, Community & Events Fundraising Officer at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, was thankful to the players for making the visit. Angela said: “It was fantastic that the players from Lancashire County Cricket Club took the time to visit Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

“They helped to bring some Christmas cheer to the wards with their wonderful presents and spent time chatting with patients which is a lovely change from the normal hospital routine.”

Tom Smith, who had just returned from playing cricket in Zimbabwe, emphasised how important these visits are to the players as well as the patients.

“My mum is a midwife herself, so she is always coming back with stories, so it is good for me personally to see the other side of things and chat to the parents,” Smith said. “It is good to see what is going on and support the community.

“It was great to come down and give the children some gifts ahead of Christmas. It is not a nice time of year for anybody to be in hospital and it was nice for the lads to meet the children and their families.

“We are thankful for Royal Manchester Children’s hospital having us down.”