Tigers players visited Leicester Children’s Hospital at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and the children’s heart unit at Glenfield Hospital on Sunday to bring some pre-Christmas cheer to the children and their families.
Murphy was joined by Anthony Allen, Martin Castrogiovanni, George Chuter, Geoff Parling, Jeremy Staunton, Manu Tuilagi and Tom Youngs at Leicester Children’s Hospital. Marcos Ayerza, Niall Morris, Mathew Tait and Ben Woods visited Glenfield Hospital.
“It is a very humbling experience,” said Tigers captain Murphy. “It is easy to forget what people go through, especially at this time of year. It is rewarding to go and speak to people and see children and parents smiling.”
The players, who had earlier been at the Junior Tigers Club Christmas Party at Welford Road, signed autographs, had their photographs taken with families and gave the children goody bags.
The visit to the Leicester Children’s Hospital ended with a tour of Ward 27, the specialist children’s oncology and haematology ward.
Tigers are supporting the hospital’s Ourspace Appeal to create a purpose-built cancer unit for children and young people on the ward. This will provide a dedicated space including playroom for children up to the age of 13, and provide a separate space for young people aged 13 to 24 for treatment and recreation, as well as a day case treatment and clinic space, and support for patients and their families.
The Ourspace Appeal is the official charity of the Junior Tigers Club and is working in partnership with the Teenage Cancer trust to raise £1.4million.
Jaqueline Dennard, whose 14-year-old daughter Nattalie is being treated on the ward, said: “The visit means a lot to her at the moment. It will really cheer her up and her sister is a big Tigers fan as well.”
Laura Cutler, nurse in charge of the ward, added: “The children absolutely love it. We do our best to give them treats but visits like this are amazing.”
Murphy praised the work of the hospital staff, saying: “All of the parents we have spoken to have said how brilliant the staff are and how much they appreciate the job that they do.
“The staff love their jobs and love the children and it is nice to be able to chat to them.”
