Burton Albion Football Club players surprise patients at Queen's Hospital Burton with festive visit
Patients at Queen's Hospital Burton were treated to a surprise visit from Burton Albion Football Club players and staff yesterday (14 December).
First team players including Joe Powell, Sam Hughes, Deji Oshilaja, and Steve Seddon, were joined by academy staff Shaun Barker and Keith Gilroy, and captain John Brayford, as the Brewers paid their annual Christmas visit to wards and departments.
Club mascot Billy Brewer was also on hand to surprise the patients as the team spoke with staff, signed autographs, and gifted presents to the patients and their loved ones while visiting the Neonatal Department, Children's Ward, Paediatric Assessment Unit and Childrens Outpatients.
Burton Albion captain, John Brayford, said: "It’s always important to see the patients and staff at this time of the year. It’s what we’re about as a football club and it’s the least that we can do as it also allows us to thank the NHS staff for all their hard work throughout the year.
“It’s a great tradition here at Burton Albion and we’re always made to feel very welcome. We would like to wish everyone at Queen’s Hospital a happy Christmas.”
The Club also donated a series of gifts for our Children's department to provide entertainment to future patients and their families.
Nicola Nutter, Sister in Paediatric Outpatients, said the visit really boosted the spirits of young patients on the wards.
She said: "The visit is something our staff look forward to every year. While hospital is not the place these young patients want to be - especially as we head towards Christmas - seeing the players gives them a real boost and it is so heartwarming to see the smiles on their faces.
"I want to thank the team once again for taking the time to visit and for all the lovely gifts. It really has made the day of a lot of the children, their families, and our colleagues here that continue to work incredibly hard, during the festive period."