CITY STARS MAKE CHRISTMAS HOSPITAL VISITS

Last week, members of the Cardiff City First Team squad got into the festive spirit as they visited Tŷ Hafan and the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales in the build-up to Christmas, bringing smiles to the faces of children and young adults in Cardiff.

As featured in the last episode of In The City, Peter Whittingham, Sammy Ameobi, Lee Peltier, Kadeem Harris, Matthew Kennedy and Declan John all paid a visit to Tŷ Hafan to bring some festive cheer to the children and their families. Cardiff City FC and Tŷ Hafan have built up a strong relationship over many years, and Russell Slade's men were delighted to play their part, helping to make Christmas that little bit more special for some of those who need it most.



David Marshall, Gabriel Tamaș, Aron Gunnarsson, Craig Noone, Ben Wilson and Simon Moore visited the Heath-based Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, where they took the time to pose for photographs, sign autographs and speak to several children and young people, in aid of Dreams & Wishes. Meanwhile, Cardiff City's U18s squad were also glad to bring some extra festive cheer, playing their part by dropping into the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

City winger Craig Noone spoke to Cardiff City Player HD about the Christmas hospital visits, explaining the link with Dreams & Wishes, and how rewarding it can be to make a difference at Christmas time. 

“We’ve been in this morning, training, but once a year we come down to try and put smiles on faces at the hospital," said Craig. "Obviously the kids are not well, and it’s just a nice little gesture to try and make them smile, and give them a present.



“It’s so sad for the kids that are in over Christmas, but we try to cheer them up by coming down and seeing them, giving them presents and signing some pictures.

“Dreams & Wishes is for young children, who wish for exactly what they’d like, and the charity try to grant it for them. Today I’m going to get the chance to give one boy a PlayStation 4, so he’ll be getting a nice surprise, won’t he, when I hand him that this afternoon!

“This totally takes your mind off everything, and helps you realise that there are much more important things than what we are doing day-to-day. To come down here and do this is really special. It’s something the players enjoy as well, to see the kids smile."

Scroll down to view a selection of photographs from Tŷ Hafan and the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, while this week's episode of In The City at Tŷ Hafan is available to view at the bottom of the page.































Click below to watch this week's episode of In The City, featuring members of the Bluebirds' First Team squad at Tŷ Hafan.