Sydney FC brought Christmas cheer to the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick today as the squad visited the wards delivering presents well ahead of Santa Claus.
Sydney FC brought Christmas cheer to the Sydney Children-s Hospital, Randwick today as the squad visited the wards delivering presents well ahead of Santa Claus.
The whole team attended the Sydney FC Children-s Hospital Christmas Surprise, each bringing with them a gift for the girls and boys which they had bought themselves.
The squad handed out the presents throughout different parts of the hospital including the oncology department, ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and the Starlight Room.
It was an experience they won-t forget in a hurry and for striker Corey Gameiro it was his first visit to the hospital.
“The most memorable part for me was seeing the kids when they opened their presents,” Gameiro said.
“To see them all smiling when we came in with our presents and when they opened them and said “this is
what I wanted from Santa, how did you know?” it was a real eye opener for me. I really enjoyed it and hope we made a difference,” he continued.
“When I saw the kids open up my present and the smile on his face showing his mum, it was really great to see.”
The Starlight Room was the standout area for Gameiro as all the players gathered there to hang out with the kids.
Ranko Despotovic proved a real success on the drum kit and while some of the team played video games with the children and others spent time at the arts and crafts table making Christmas cards.
“I think it-s great for the hospital to have that [the starlight room],” Gameiro said.
“For the kids to just get away from everything up there and play, it-s great.
“Rhyan Grant and I ended up making really cool Christmas cards and the hospital said they were going to keep it and put them in the cabinet.”
Gameiro was one of the players who tasted defeat playing the FIFA video game with the children and believes that it-s something his teammates won-t let him forget about.
“I ended up getting beaten [on the Xbox],” he said.
“One the kids asked if I could play and I said yeah a little bit but he must play it more than I do because he gave me a bit of a dusting in front of the boys.
“I-m sure I won-t live that down anytime soon.”
Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League team play in a double header this Sunday at Allianz Stadium, kick off at 2.15pm. Watch the girls against Melbourne Victory followed by the Hyundai A-League squad taking on Melbourne Heart at 5pm this Sunday.
Get your tickets from Ticketek. Prices start from $25* for an adult, $15* for a Junior.
Pre-purchase your ticket to avoid additional costs and benefit from FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT to the game.
*Subject to Ticketek booking fee.
