Four Tottenham Hotspur players visited Barnet Hospital yesterday to deliver Christmas presents to children staying on Galaxy Ward. 

Christian Eriksen, Ben Davies, Josh Onomah and Josie Green helped spread Christmas cheer to children, parents and staff on the children’s and neonatal wards.

Kalli Bargiela, 16, said she wanted to save her present for Christmas and added: “It was a wonderful experience – a lovely Christmas surprise. Their visit has definitely lifted my spirits.”

Victoria Tointon, also 16, received headphones, a watch and some other Spurs-themed merchandise. “It was really exciting to meet them,” she said. “It was nice to get all these presents – I am a big fan!”

During the visit the players also found time to phone patient Alonso Rama, who they met when Ben and Christian visited the ward last Christmas. Alonso is currently being treated in a different hospital, but was keen to speak to the players again this year – so the staff arranged for them to contact him.

On Starlight, the neonatal ward, David Morrissey, whose twins Daniel and Orlaith were born five days ago, is a huge fan and has a season ticket at Spurs. The players also spoke to David’s older son Ben, 7, on the phone.

“Ben is a massive fan and goes to bed in his Spurs kit,” said David. “He will be over the moon that he got to speak to the players on the phone. It will have made his Christmas!” 

View the photo gallery.

Ends

Images: Top, Josh Onomah, Ben Davies, Christian Eriksen and Josie Green, with patient Kalli Bargiela. Bottom, Josh Onomah and Ben Davies with four-year-old Mohammed Yasir.

Notes to editors

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.