Ipswich Town Stars kick off Christmas for hospice children

Christmas kicked off early for children, young people and families supported by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), with Ipswich Town footballers visiting The Treehouse.

Club captain and defender Luke Chambers, fellow defender Jonas Knudsen and forward Ellis Harrison joined four children and some of their family members. As well as chatting to parents about support given by EACH, the Blues signed autographs and handed out Ipswich Town gifts. They also got dressed up, played Lego and did painting, among other activities.

Luke said: “If there’s anything we can do to put a smile on anyone’s face, be it the children, families or even the people who work here, it’s fantastic. It really puts things into perspective when you come to places like this. I have kids myself and the lads, with their own families, can recognise that it can be a hard time of year for families supported here.

“To see the people working here is truly humbling. It’s such a fantastic thing to come and meet them as they’re doing all this good for the community. They’re fantastic and, I think, the unsung heroes around. It’s just amazing things they’re doing.”

Daniel Dellar, 15, from Kesgrave, was among children to meet the players. His mum, Mandy, said: “It’s really lovely of them to give up their time to come and see the children at the hospice at this time of year, particularly when they’ve got a match on Saturday.”

Daniel Brand, Activities Assistant at The Treehouse, said: “It was great to have Luke, Jonas and Ellis here helping spread some festive joy and we’d like to say a big thanks to them for coming along. As always, on what’s a very special day in our annual calendar, the children and families were thrilled to meet the players.”

EACH currently offers care to 119 children and young people from The Treehouse, as well as support for 131 family members. It costs the charity £5,600 a day to run its service in Suffolk and East Essex.

Ipswich Town has been a great supporter, particularly over the last season-and-a-half, when the EACH logo has featured on the back of players’ shirts.

This Sunday (16 December), the club is hosting an evening with Griff Rhys Jones at the Sir Bobby Robson Suite. Guests will hear a new mix of tales, stand-up and anecdotes ready for Christmas and the New Year, and all proceeds will go to EACH. Read more about this event here. 

Photo credit – EACH.

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