The Sheffield Wednesday chairman, manager, players and staff were out in force in the community yesterday in one of the club’s biggest days of the calendar year.
The annual Blue and White Christmas Day, now a firmly embedded S6 tradition, saw the Owls reach out to six different hospitals and charities across the region.
Here is a timeline and highlights of how the day unfolded.
10.30am
We began the day with a visit to our friends over at the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind.
Involved in this part of the day from the club were players Marco Matias, Joey Pelupessy, Joost van Aken, Atdhe Nuhiu, Jordan Thorniley and chief executive Katrien Meire.
The staff and volunteers gave us another fascinating insight into their day-to-day workings and how they help the people of Sheffield with limited or no vision – particularly at this time of year.
On the day of the clients’ Christmas dinner, we were given a warm welcome and even treat to one special vocal performance!
🎤 💙 We are being spoilt this morning @SRSBCharity! #BlueandWhiteChristmasDay pic.twitter.com/wIX2osOK1T
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) December 19, 2018
11.00am
While the first party were busy in the centre of Sheffield, our Blue and White festive day continued over at Hallam FM’s Cash for Kids.
#missionchristmas is the name of the game for Hallam FM at this time of year as the players were told how the scheme helps 1000’s of disadvantaged children across South Yorkshire receive gifts this Christmas.
Michael Hector, Daniel Pudil, Josh Onomah, Keiren Westwood, Kieran Lee, Sam Hutchinson, Matt Penney and Ash Baker were over at Hallam FM HQ to learn of their outstanding work.
12.00pm
A hugely important stop on our unique Yuletide occasion is, of course, the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is one of only four dedicated children’s hospital trusts in the UK and provides integrated healthcare for children and young people, including community and mental health care as well as acute and specialist services.
Manager Jos Luhukay and captain Tom Lees, along with Jack Stobbs, Frederik Nielsen, Lucas Joao, Adam Reach and Connor Kirby were taken around the wards, bearing gifts, to spread Christmas cheer to those in need of it most.
Meeting staff, patients, parents and families, the moving journey through the hospital saw the Owls stars light up the faces of some remarkable and inspiring youngsters.
1.30pm
Close by at Weston Park, our next group, consisting of Steven Fletcher, Fraser Preston, Morgan Fox, Alex Hunt and Cameron Dawson, were on hand to start the next part of #BlueandWhiteChristmasDay at 1.30pm.
Weston Park Cancer Charity raises vital funds to help create a better life for people living with, and beyond, cancer.
Since the formation of our #BlueandWhiteChristmasDay, Weston Park has been a key fixture in this day and we were delighted again to meet those on the wards and the incredible staff.
2.00pm
Arriving over at St Luke’s Hospice midway through the afternoon were David Jones, George Boyd, Connor O’Grady and Almen Abdi.
St Luke’s mission is to deliver the best possible palliative care in Sheffield, whilst developing and driving continual improvements for everyone affected by terminal illness.
Providing first class support for families, and organising fundraising events across the city to continually improve care for the people of Sheffield in need the most.
St Luke’s are a charity, with all services free and we were delighted to stop by again this year.
2.30pm
Last, but by no means least, was a visit to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Working closely with Bluebell Wood throughout the year, every Christmas visit to their North Anston site is special.
The hospice cares for children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions and currently supports around 250 families, both in their own homes and at the hospice.
SWFC chairman Dejphon Chansiri, Lee Bullen, Liam Palmer, Barry Bannan, Sam Winnall and Jack Lee had another heart-warming visit.
Wednesday supporters and the people of Sheffield have followed the club’s progress across the devoted day on social media, using #BlueandWhiteChristmasDay hashtag.
Sheffield Wednesday would like to thank SRSB, Weston Park, Sheffield Children’s, Hallam FM’s Cash For Kids , St Luke’s and Bluebell Wood along with all the patients and families we’ve had the pleasure of meeting!