Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

August 23, 2016 Twitter

@HarJournalist

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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps are in a full force mode to try to make the MLS playoffs next month. You'd imagine that Carl Robinson has his team in a football bubble as they work on tactics, formations, and a way to put together some wins. That isn't quite the case as the Vancouver Whitecaps took time out to visit B.C. Children's Hospital on Thursday afternoon.



"It's honestly a highlight of the year, for a lot of us on this team," said goalkeeper David Ousted. "I think going there, seeing those kids and seeing how happy they are for us to come around, it puts everything in perspective. It puts the struggles, what we're going through in perspective and gives you another boost of that happiness you see those kids have."



As a parent it must be unbearable to sit in a hospital and watch your child fight a major health concern that you don't have any control over. Going there as athletes to interact with kids allows them to forget about needles, medical tests, and being away from the normal activities a child should be enjoying. There is no concern about scoring goals, suspensions, or who should start at right-back. Wonderful visit to BC Children's Hospital today #amazingkids @BCChildrensHosp pic.twitter.com/v5qMttk8Ye — Carl Valentine (@CarlTwoOne) September 23, 2016 Kids just want to be kids, and for one afternoon, on the first day of fall, the Whitecaps players were able to lift up the spirits of children. Carl Robinson knows how special a visit to B.C. Children's Hospital is and he made sure his players also knew that.



"It means a lot," said Robinson. "Obviously we're glad that we are welcome there. It's very important for us as a club. I spoke to the players about how important it is for the children there as well to put smiles on faces, because they're in there for various reasons. If we can brighten up their day, which we will, then it's always a special occasion. It's a very important event for us and I will make sure that every single player is there and on their best behaviour."



As a parent, Carl Robinson and his wife, Laura experienced first-hand the amazing care and support B.C. Children's Hospital provides for children going through tough times. Robinson is grateful for everything that B.C. Children's Hospital does to help families, including his own.



"When you become a father, you realize and appreciate the doctors and the nurses that are there on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, sometimes and how important their jobs are. Until you're a father or a mother, you probably don't realize that. It's a specialist job, we know that. I can give nothing but thanks especially for the stuff that I went through with my family as well. That's why it's very important to me, this."



The Vancouver Whitecaps will hope to add a few more smiles and cheers to the children they meet at B.C. Children's Hospital. Saturday afternoon will provide that opportunity as the Colorado Rapids visit and look to burst the Whitecaps playoff dreams.



