The players were out and about delivering presents and spreading warm Christmas wishes in the children’s wards at local hospitals this afternoon (Wednesday, December 21).

As is our annual tradition, members of our first team squad were joined by players from the in-form Spurs Ladies side to put a few smiles on young faces at what can be a tough time of year for families with children in hospital.

Special visits were paid to five hospitals – Barnet, Whittington in Archway, North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, Whipps Cross in Leytonstone and Princess Alexandra in Harlow.



Above: Christian, Ben, Josh and Josie with staff at Barnet Hospital.

Handing out presents at Barnet were Christian Eriksen, Ben Davies, Josh Onomah and Josie Green while Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Janssen, Tom Carroll and Jenna Schillaci stopped by at Whittington.

In attendance at North Middlesex were Eric Dier, Kieran Trippier, Shayon Harrison and Bianca Baptiste, with new arrivals Moussa Sissoko and Pau Lopez taking part in their first hospital visit as Spurs players at Whipps Cross alongside club captain Hugo Lloris and Leah Rawle.

In Harlow, Kyle Walker, Michel Vorm, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Riana Soobadoo spent time helping young patients to open their gifts.

@kylewalker2 helping with some present unwrapping and spreading some festive cheer at Princess Alexandra Hospital. pic.twitter.com/EjlGOGu25f — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) 21 December 2016



The players were overwhelmed by the reception they received at each hospital from patients and staff alike.

After visiting Whipps Cross, Hugo said: “It does hit you hard, especially when kids are involved, but I think it’s very important that we come out to the hospitals. It’s our culture. It helps to make you realise how lucky we all are to play and enjoy football. These few hours with them mean a lot and when you see the smiles on the children’s faces and the parents’ faces, that makes it all worthwhile. It certainly changes your mentality on these visits when you are a parent yourself. I’m lucky to have two girls in good health and that’s when it hits harder, when you are a parent and at the same time, it’s a reality check as to how lucky I am as well. As I said, our football club is about the community as well and the players enjoy these visits to the hospitals. It means a lot.”



Above: Hugo, Pau, Moussa and Leah greet a youngster at Whipps Cross Hospital.

We were delighted to receive some positive feedback following the series of visits.

Geoff Thrower, who has a young relative at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow at present, said: “A big thank you to those that visited Princess Alexandra Hospital today with gifts for the children. My six-month-old great grandson is a patient there with Bronchiolitis and we have just seen a picture of him with his gift – it was great to see such a big smile on our poorly little one. His two-and-a-half-year-old brother was visiting him and you kindly gave him a gift as well – he also looked pleased with it. Many thanks, these pictures helped us a great deal at this tough time.”