Top Baggies players bring festive surprise to the Midland Met’s young patients

Footballers Jed Wallace, Alex Palmer, Torbjørn Heggem, Grady Diangana, Josh Maja, Callum Styles and Harry Whitwell surprised children and their families on their annual visit to the children’s wards at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust-run hospital for the first time.

They spent time speaking to patients and handing out an array of toys, kindly selected and funded by the club’s charity, The Albion Foundation.

Young Jaden, aged 10, was thrilled to receive some early Christmas gifts from the players. He said: “I met some of the players and it was lovely. They were very kind and gave me some presents. I love my new calendar because it’s signed by my favourite player.”

Juliette Odura-Boadu, whose 12-year-old son Joel also received some gifts, said: “It was exciting to meet some football players. It’s nice that they have come in and it’s lovely just to see my son smiling.”

The player’s visit was organised in conjunction with Your City & Metropolitan Hospitals Charity, the registered charity of the Trust.

During their visit, the players also had a chance to speak to staff about being in their new home at the Midland Met and the work they have been doing to bring the festive spirit to children spending their time on the wards during the Christmas period.

Captain Jed Wallace said: “It’s always something I enjoy doing as a player. Some of us lads have children, and you do wonder how people are doing over Christmas with their kids in hospital, so for us to come down and make a visit is nice.

“The new hospital is really spacious and the staff, as always, are super friendly.

“To come down and see everyone is amazing. Even if it makes just 10 minutes of difference to someone, it’s something we’re very privileged to do.”