Durham Cricket players and staff visited the Great North Children’s Hospital to surprise children, their families and staff during the Christmas period as part of the Durham Cricket Foundation’s year-round work at the Bridges School.
Many Durham Cricket stars payed the Hospital a visit, including Alex Lees, Ben Raine and Graham Clark plus Director of Cricket Marcus North.
They gave out mini-helmets, sticker books, signed autographs and spent some time with young patients, hoping to bring a smile to them at a tough time for many who will spend the festive period as in or out-patients of the Hospital.
Director of Cricket Marcus North said: “It is a real pleasure to visit the Great North Children’s Hospital and share some special moments with youngsters. Seeing a smile on their faces is really nice and to know we are all giving them something to be happy at Christmas is special.”
Durham Cricket is proud to work with the brave children at the Great North Children’s Hospital through the academic year with a project delivered by Durham Cricket Foundation.
The charity arm of the club delivers weekly one-to-one cricket-themed sessions to long-term patients in the Bridges School, with the aim to help children become more active, where possible, while delivering personal outcomes to students.
Durham Cricket Foundation’s work with the Great North Children’s Hospital has been running for four academic years, with the project doubling its delivery and reach in the second year of running.
As a result, this year twice as many children are benefitting from weekly sessions, which provide an outstanding sense of wellbeing and joy to patients with different illnesses and challenges.