Tue 23 Dec - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 4mins
Derby County and the Derby County Community Trust have once again had a jam-packed schedule in the lead-up to Christmas.
Here's a round-up of just some of the initiatives and events that have taken place across the club and the Community Trust in December.
To find out more about the work of the Derby County Community Trust, click here.
Derby County helped to bring some festive cheer to the Royal Derby Hospital on Tuesday 2nd December, as Head Coach John Eustace and members of the Men’s first team squad spent the afternoon meeting patients, families, and staff.
The players, including captain Lewis Travis, vice-captain Ebou Adams, Rhian Brewster, Sondre Langås, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Dion Sanderson and Max Johnston visited Puffin Ward - the hospital’s inpatient Children’s Ward - where they joined in with craft activities, handed out presents and chatted with children receiving care.
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The team also delivered a large TV for the Ward and made a donation towards the Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity Christmas appeal, which is aiming to fund a new sensory unit, which will support young patients who benefit from a calming, therapeutic distraction during their Hospital stay.
As part of their visit, the squad also spent time in the Hospital’s Renal Unit. They met patients undergoing dialysis treatment, spoke with staff about the specialist support the service provides, and made a contribution towards a fundraising appeal for a new holiday dialysis caravan in Wales - a much-loved resource that allows patients the chance to take short respite breaks while still receiving the care they need from staff based at the Royal Derby Hospital.
The visit was organised by Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity, who work with teams across University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust to improve the experience of patients and staff.
Derby County Women also conducted their visit to the hospital on Sunday 21st December. The Women's squad, staff and mascot, Ewie, joined patients and hospital staff to hand out presents and spread cheer ahead of Christmas. They also donated a voucher for craft supplies to be used on the children's ward.
Derby County hosted the Golden Rams and Friends from Derby County Community Trust at Pride Park Stadium on Monday 8th December for their annual Christmas lunch.
The Golden Rams initiative was created in 2018 to thank supporters aged 85 and over for their long-standing dedication to the football club, with a number of Community Trust programme participants also in attendance.
Events are organised regularly throughout the season for both organisations and on the 8th, they all gathered for a Christmas celebration in the Toyota Suite.
Club officials, alongside former Rams players and club ambassadors Roy McFarland and Roger Davies, were all in attendance for a special afternoon.
Derby County Community Trust once again partnered up with Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance to bring back the popular Reverse Advent Calendar campaign.
The concept involves collecting an item of tinned or dried goods each day for 25 days. The result is a full food parcel, which will be distributed across local communities in the run-up to Christmas.
This year, the Community Trust collected over 350 donations from local businesses, schools and members of the public. Including a staggering 68 bags from Allestree Woodlands School, who are upping their donation amount year on year.
Those who dropped donations to Harrison’s Hub on Thursday 4th December were surprised by Lars-Jørgen Salvesen and Bobby Clark, who handed out complimentary tickets to the Derby County vs Millwall fixture as a thank you for their donation.
The lads also supported the Trust’s Community Meals, which are held every Thursday evening throughout the winter months. Aiming to reduce loneliness and provide those who need it with a hot meal and drink, the Community Trust have served over 3,000 meals to date.
The Community Trust’s Ukrainian Christmas meal also returned for a fourth year, with over 60 members of the Derby Ukrainian Community coming together for a traditional meal, dancing and games at Community Corner.
