Gillingham FC kick off Christmas at Evelina London

The Gillingham team at Evelina London Children's Hospital

Patients at Evelina London Children’s Hospital were thrilled to be visited by Gillingham FC footballers bearing gifts on Monday afternoon (7 December).

Players and staff from the League One club came to hand out goodies and spread festive cheer among the patients, many of whom will be spending Christmas at our hospital.

The Gillingham FC squad, also known as ‘the Gills’, met young football fans and learned about the specialist treatment and care provided at Evelina London.

Club Captain Doug Loft said: “The visit makes you realise how lucky you are. Quite a lot of the patients we met today will be here at Evelina London at Christmas, so to be able to visit them, give out lots of gifts and chocolate, and to see how happy it made them was great.”

Evelina London works in partnership with Gillingham FC to support Take Heart Mercy Mission. Funded by the club, a team of experts from Evelina London visit Sri Lanka each year to perform operations on children with heart problems.

Chairman Paul Scally said: “As Chairman of the football club and trustee of Take Heart Mercy Mission, it is a real honour to bring the squad and staff to visit Evelina London Children’s Hospital and for them to learn more about the charity and meet those who make such a huge difference to many people’s lives.

“To see the strength and positive attitude of the children and their parents is very humbling. To see their faces light up and to hear the positive feedback after the event makes me very proud. We will continue to build the links between Gillingham FC, Take Heart Mercy Mission and Evelina London and hope fans will join us.”