PLAYERS from Glentoran’s Men’s and Women’s first teams paid a special visit to the Ulster Hospital, delivering gifts and festive cheer to children receiving care in the hospital’s Craig Ward Unit.
All gifts were generously sponsored by Alan Cooke of Strangford Consulting, enabling Glentoran to provide a mix of age-appropriate items from storybooks and art sets to sensory toys, journals and mini craft kits to children across the unit.
Representing the Men’s team were club captain Marcus Kane, last season’s top goalscorer Jordan Jenkins, supporters’ favourite Jordan Stewart and forward Nathaniel Ferris. The Sports Direct Women’s Premiership champions were represented by Chloe McCarron, Faye Loughran and manager Kim Turner.
Kim said: “Visits like this really put things into perspective. Football is important, of course, but when you meet young people and families going through tough moments, it reminds you of what truly matters.
“The spirit shown by the children in the Ulster Hospital was incredible and it was a privilege for our players to spend time with them.
“As a club, we talk a lot about community, but it’s days like this where you actually see the impact you can make just by showing up, listening and sharing a smile. I hope our visit brought a bit of light to the children and their families and we wish every one of them a healthy and happy Christmas.”
Marcus Kane added: “It was a privilege for us to visit the children and families at the Ulster Hospital. Playing for Glentoran gives us a platform to do good and days like this remind you how important that is.
“The positivity shown by the young people we met was inspiring and we were delighted to bring even a small bit of joy to them during what can be a difficult time.
“As a father, I know how helpless you can feel when your children are unwell and you’d do anything to make them feel better. I hope our visit today helped in some small way. Glentoran is a massive part of this community and it’s important we take the time to give something back.
“I hope every family we met today goes on to have a healthy and happy Christmas.”
The Glentoran players and staff were welcomed to the Craig Ward Unit by members of the Ulster Hospital’s paediatric team, who facilitated visits throughout a unit that provides essential treatment and support for young people from birth up to 16 years old.
The group spent part of the afternoon meeting young patients and their families, taking photographs, signing autographs and handing out gifts to help lift spirits in the run-up to Christmas.
Emma Morrison, a Paediatric Nurse at Ulster Hospital said: “It is brilliant to see the team here with us and see a smile on the children’s faces.
“The team have brought a lot of toys, art sets and mini craft kits for the children and it is great for the team to come and spread some holiday cheer for those families who are going through one of the hardest times.
“A lot of young patients are big fans of the team and it was very much a case of big smiles all around on the ward.”
