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West Ham players spread Christmas cheer with hospital visits

The visits took place on Thursday, December 19, with players from both the men's and women's first teams visiting hospitals.

These included Newham Hospital, Queen's Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Goodmayes.

The charity Saint Francis Hospice was also paid a visit by the Hammers.

Festive - Staff at the King George Hospital with some of the playersStaff at the King George Hospital share a selfie with some of the players (Image: West Ham United) Smiles - Players sharing gifts with a patient in King George HospitalAlphonse Areola, Niclas Fullkrug and Konstantinos Mavropanos sharing gifts with a patient at King George Hospital (Image: West Ham United)

Players including Jarrod Bowen, Tomáš Souček, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Shelina Zadorsky, Emma Harries, and Viviane Asseyi spent time with more than 100 children, staff, and families.

They chatted, played, and took selfies with the children, also handing out goody bags filled with West Ham gifts.

Hammers - West Ham making a visit to Newham HospitalWest Ham players made a visit to Newham Hospital (Image: West Ham United) Wow - Jarrod Bowen signing gifts for fansJarrod Bowen signing gifts for fans (Image: West Ham United)

Jarrod Bowen, men's team captain, said: "It’s nice to come in and give out presents.

"Most of us here today are parents, so when we come to these ones, it's always difficult when you're seeing kids in hospital over Christmas.

"But if we can come in and put a smile on their face for Christmas, we feel like we’ve done wonders for them."

Shelina Zadorsky, women's vice-captain, added: "It was a really nice day visiting Newham Hospital, seeing the staff who work so hard and all of the patients as well.

"It’s really meaningful for us to give back to the community in just a small way, to bring some cheer and hopefully some smiles."

Amazing - The visit to Queens HospitalThe players meet Queen's Hospital staff (Image: West Ham United) Christmas - West Ham stars putting smiles on the face of young patientsWest Ham stars Danny Ings, Andy Irving, Aaron Cresswell and Max Kilman putting smiles on the face of young patients at Queen's Hospital (Image: West Ham United)

Newham Hospital described the players' visit as a morale boost.

Catriona Rowland, head of wellbeing, said: "We know they are busy too, but to make that gesture to come and thank all the staff, meet and greet, take photos and have a laugh with our staff, visitors and patients, it’s just amazing."

The club said the visits are part of its year-round commitment to the community, with players regularly giving their time as part of the West Ham United Players Project.

Earlier in the week, players from the West Ham United Academy supported the Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal 2024, being run by Ambition Aspire Achieve (AAA) in partnership with the Newham Recorder.

They helped sort through donated toys and games, readying them for distribution across the borough in time for Christmas.

Group - West Ham United supporting the Ambition Aspire Achieve appealWest Ham United's academy stars supporting a toy appeal (Image: West Ham United)

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