Islington Tribune - by ED CUMMING Published: 21 December 2007
VISITING Arsenal stars put smiles on the faces of children in hospital ward
CHRISTMAS came early for children at Whittington Hospital on Monday when they were visited by their Arsenal heroes. Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie were among the eight first-team stars who toured the Archway hospital, signing photos and handing out presents.
The faces of staff and patients lit up as they joked and posed with the footballers.
One cheeky chappy even had the nerve to ask goalkeeper Manuel Almunia “Where’s Lehmann?”, when it was the Spaniard who was the hero of the hour against Chelsea on Sunday.
And Emmanuel Eboué, injured against Chelsea, seemed to have made a full recovery as he led a happy round of cheering and clapping for the children, many of whom were dressed in their best Arsenal colours.
One girl whose day was certainly made was young Georgia Biggin, whose family are such big fans that her middle name is Arsenal. She grinned from ear to ear as a smiling Cesc handed her a Monopoly set, before posing for photos.
After visiting the play area of the Ifor paediatric ward, the players went on to the neo-natal unit, where they saw the fantastic work the hospital does for sick new-born babies, before returning to prepare for their hectic festive schedule.
From the looks on some of these children’s faces (not to mention their parents!), it was a Christmas present they will not forget in a hurry.