Chelsea stars surprise children in hospital with special Christmas visit to St Mary’s
Chelsea stars surprise children in hospital with special Christmas visit to St Mary’s
22 December 2023
Members of the Chelsea FC women’s team - Hannah Hampton, Aggie Beever-Jones and Zecira Musovic - brought some festive cheer as they stopped to deliver gifts to children on the hospital’s Great Western ward.
As well as having the chance to meet their football idols, the children also received Chelsea balls, scarves, drinks bottles and other gifts generously donated by the club.
The visit was organised by Chelsea Foundation, which provides a range of education, health and wellbeing initiatives in the local community.
We’re proud to be working in partnership with Chelsea Foundation and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust to support this important work, helping to tackle inequalities in our society that have a negative impact on people’s health.
One of these initiatives is Bridging the Blues – a 12-week healthy lifestyle programme that includes physical activity, education and mental wellbeing support.
Over the last year the programme has helped dozens of patients with cardiac and respiratory conditions as well as those who are recovering after a minor stroke.
Our partnership with the Chelsea FC Foundation has also provided opportunities to help our hard-working hospital staff boost their health and wellbeing.
Earlier in December, more than 70 members of NHS staff from across west London – including many from Imperial College Healthcare – took part in a special football tournament at St Paul’s School in Hammersmith.
In a tight contest, the Hammersmith & Fulham Primary Care Network team were crowned champions and lifted the trophy after beating the Imperial Pharmacy team on penalties in the final.
"The aim is to launch a regular staff football session and a NHS league as well as alternative physical activity opportunities for our staff."
Jack Gallop, Population Health Project Manager
“The tournament will become an annual fixture moving forward, with Chelsea Foundation looking to offer more opportunities for NHS staff through the partnership,” said Jack Gallop, Population Health Project Manager at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
“In the new year the aim is to launch a regular staff football session at Imperial and a NHS league, as well as alternative non-football physical activity opportunities for our staff.”
Feeling inspired? You can find out more about the Bridging the Blues programme and other opportunities to get involved on Chelsea Foundation’s website.
