By George Jones

Charlton’s first-team squad spent Tuesday morning spreading some Christmas cheer throughout their local community by visiting Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

The players, 14 of which attended Queen Elizabeth, started on the Safari Children’s ward, surprising young fans and their parents and handing out festive gifts, before heading to ward three to meet some of the Addicks’ elderly supporters.

In the Safari ward, Jordan Cousins spent some time with the Weeks family, with eight-year-old Hallie taking a liking to his hat. After wearing it for the duration of the visit, Cousins asked her to keep it and the midfielder hopes that small gestures like that help to make the children’s days.

“Today showed the other side of this club that sometimes gets forgotten about,” said the 21-year-old. “It’s great to go and give these kids some treats because it puts a smile on their faces.

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“Hallie said she wanted to wear my hat and then later she asked if she could keep it. The hat doesn’t really mean too much to me and I knew that it would make her happy if she kept it, especially as she was wearing it at the time, so it’s hers now.

“Seeing people that are struggling a bit in hospital over Christmas, it’s nice to be able to come in, give them some presents and make their days. It makes them happy and the reactions we get from the kids and the staff make us really happy too.”

Ward Manager on Safari Ward, Hannah Lawal, said: “It was brilliant to have Charlton down for the annual visit today. They always bring a smile to the faces of all of our patients with the gifts that they bring.

The families really enjoyed seeing them, as well as the children, and also the nurses that work on the ward.”

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Meanwhile, Johnnie Jackson, Chris Solly, Stephen Henderson, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Morgan Fox, Igor Vetokele, Franck Moussa and Simon Makienok attended Demelza Hospice Care for Children in New Eltham.

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