Shields players visit hospital before Christmas

South Shields’ players and staff visited South Tyneside District Hospital to meet hard-working staff and spread some festive cheer.

Led by manager Kevin Phillips and captain Blair Adams, the Mariners were given a tour of the physiotherapy department at the hospital, based on Harton Lane, South Shields.

Staff in the department then sat down with the players as part of a question and answer session, with both parties taking the opportunity to learn about their respective roles.

Phillips and Adams later visited the children's day unit, where they met youngsters Madeline Carr and Coleton Kendal, who had been in for tests.

Adams said: “It's always brilliant to get out into the community, particularly at this time of year, and this was a visit all of the players wanted to get involved in.

"There's no longer a children's ward at the hospital, but we were still able to see a couple of the youngsters who were there on the day and pass on our best wishes for the festive season.

"We also received some great insights from the staff at the hospital in terms of the challenges they face, especially at Christmas, and it was enjoyable to sit down with them and answer their questions.

"Everyone at the club wishes all staff and patients at the hospital the very best for Christmas and the new year and we hope to see plenty of them at a game soon."

Members of staff at the hospital who are not on duty will be guests of the club at Shields’ Boxing Day match against Whitby Town at 1st Cloud Arena.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s head of physiotherapy, Philip Adams, said: "It was fantastic to welcome players and staff from South Shields FC to the physiotherapy department at South Tyneside Hospital.

“We really enjoyed meeting them and having the chance to learn more about life as professional athletes, as well as showing them around the facilities.

“Our busy team works extremely hard, so it was a welcome boost to have an event like this in the department."