The Everton team made its annual visit to Alder Hey Children's Hospital today to spread festive cheer.
Sean Dyche, club captain Seamus Coleman and 16 other first-team Toffees, including the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Amadou Onana, Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure, James Garner, Beto, Jack Harrison, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Nathan Patterson dropped in at the world-renowned medical facility to spend time with patients, parents and staff.
Players wore blue Christmas hats as they spent the afternoon handing out gifts and enjoying the festive fun.
Coleman acknowledged the importance of the club’s visits to Alder Hey and revealed the squad were all looking forward to a memorable day.
“The sentiment behind it remains the most important thing,” said Coleman. “It genuinely is a day we love and look forward to, and the lads couldn’t wait to get down here today.
“The families are delighted to see us, as well, and the kids are happy, too. It’s what Christmas is about.
“It has always been a special day. The past 15 years of me being here, it’s always been a day I can remember and a day I’ve looked forward to.
“It’s a day of many emotions - obviously, a very happy day to put smiles on the kids’ faces. Today, especially, we’re seeing some kids who’ve had a tough year. I think Liverpool as a city in general look after each other, and it’s something I know we take great pride in, and rightly so.”
Alder Hey provides vital care for more than 330,000 children and young people each year, making it one of Europe’s biggest children’s hospitals, where staff treat everything from common illnesses to specialist conditions.
The local facility has forged strong links with the Club’s official charity, Everton in the Community, which runs regular activities at the hospital.
“It’s so important the club takes part,” added Coleman. “I think our club above many clubs is so good in thinking of others who need some help. Everton in the Community, for example, is massive.
“Something like today is something we take very seriously, and we really enjoy coming down to see the kids. It’s a special day in the calendar for us.”
Reader Comments (13)
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2 Posted 13/12/2023 at 20:44:26
3 Posted 13/12/2023 at 21:15:43
Love Seamus representing our club as he really is a special person.
4 Posted 13/12/2023 at 21:27:03
5 Posted 13/12/2023 at 21:49:05
6 Posted 13/12/2023 at 21:53:52
Alder Hay is the main children's hospital in the North of England – and was walking distance from our old training ground (Bellefield). They have been doing this as long as I can remember (~50 years).
In the old days, there would be an item in The Echo and some photos in one of the matchday programmes over the Xmas period. In the interests of festive fairness, I believe our friends across the park make a visit also.
7 Posted 13/12/2023 at 21:54:37
They will feel 10 feet tall – can't beat making a kid happy especially one confined to hospital.
8 Posted 13/12/2023 at 22:07:08
I'm delighted the team go there every Christmas and it certainly makes me very proud to be an Evertonian.
Puts everything into perspective doesn't it.
9 Posted 13/12/2023 at 22:26:41
10 Posted 14/12/2023 at 04:31:40
11 Posted 14/12/2023 at 15:54:37
I'll single Seamus out as he loves spending time chatting to fans after the home games. I remember he came out about 5:30 after one match and was still there when I and my son left at 7 – great guy, nailed-on legend. 💙
12 Posted 14/12/2023 at 16:40:11
13 Posted 15/12/2023 at 12:42:03
Well done to the club for putting smiles on those kids faces.
And the cousins will do the same to their credit.
We can and should be proud of Alder Hey. Not just in the City, a nationally renowned institution.
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1 Posted 13/12/2023 at 16:04:22
To see the joy that the players can spread into the faces of little sick children and their families shows the absolute power of what football means to the people of our city. Now just go and win us the cup…!