Sporting Stars Bring Festive Cheer to Chelsea and Westminster

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Chelsea squad and Paralympian Hannah Cockcroft pay surprise visits to children's wards

Sporting stars have been bringing festive cheer with surprise visits to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

On Wednesday, 21 December  Chelsea Football Club Manager Antonio Conte and the squad surprised children and their families, delivering presents for the kids, posing for pictures and signing autographs around the wards.

Some of the children will be in hospital over Christmas and so the Blues popped in following the morning’s training session at Stamford Bridge. The annual visit to Chelsea and Westminster is an important one for the players.

“Each year we come and it is important for us as players to do this and to see the kids,” said First Team Defender César Azpilicueta. 

“I am a parent myself and I know how special this time is. Christmas is normally a very happy time but for these kids and their families it is very difficult so it is nice for us to come here, give them presents and to spend time with them. it is also nice for us to be able to do this and to make people’s day nicer.”

Earlier in the month, the children's wards were visited by an inspirational figure - Hannah Cockroft MBE, winner of five Paralympic gold medals.

Wheelchair racer Hannah, star of the London and Rio Paralympic Games, spent several hours chatting to kids and their families as she toured the children's wards.

24 year-old Hannah brought along one of her gold medals—which she was keeping safe in a fluffy sock—and the children and their families were lucky enough to hold and even wear it. Everyone was astounded by how heavy it was!

Hannah had two heart attacks at birth that left her with serious disabilities. Her parents were told that she would never be able to walk, talk, do anything for herself or live past her teenage years. She set out to prove the predictions wrong and her determination has paid off in spades.

Asked what advice she would give to children who’d like to be in the Paralympics themselves one day. Hannah said: “Find what you love and take every opportunity you get. Be prepared to work really hard. I have trained hard for years, but it’s worth it. I love what I do and I’m lucky enough to do it every day.”

And her most incredible sporting moments so far?

“Winning my first Gold in London, and in my last 200m race in Rio when the crowd chanted my name. The most amazing feelings ever!”

December 23, 2016