Wakefield Trinity’s First-Team squad and Coaching Staff handed out over 450 donated selection boxes, socks and puzzle books to patients and staff at Pinderfields Hospital on Thursday as part of the Community Foundation’s annual Christmas Appeal.
Stars from the Wakefield Trinity First-Team squad visited the children’s ward at Pinderfields Hospital, handing out the vast amount of donations that have been sent in by our supporters, sponsors and organisations within our local community.
Daryl Powell, Wakefield Trinity Head Coach, said: “Here at Christmas time, there’s some young people here at the Hospital and we wanted to try and help brighten up their day.
“All of the players and coaching staff have been down here, handing out selection boxes, socks and puzzle books and chatting to the young people and their families. All of the boys have been really enthusiastic about helping make somebody else’s day that little bit brighter.
“We’re a working-class sport and we’re closely knit within our local community and I think it’s really important that we support causes like these as much as we can, especially at times like these and for causes like these because being in Hospital at Christmas is really tough.
“The attitude of the players and the coaching staff has been outstanding and really respectful and it’s great that we’ve been able to come down and really give back to our local community.
“Things are pretty tough for people at the moment with the cost of living crisis, so for people to have contributed as they have done, it just shows what an unbelievable community we have here in Yorkshire.”
Denise Teal, Lead Trustee at Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation, added: “I’d really like to thank the MY Hospitals Charity for giving us the opportunity to come down to Pinderfields Hospital and give out the gifts that have been donated to patients here on the wards.
“It was really heart-warming to see all of the Wakefield players and coaching staff here at the Hospital, giving out the selection boxes, socks and puzzle books that have been so kindly donated by the supporters and everyone at Wakefield Trinity, for which I want to say a huge thank you!
“The support that we’ve had for the Foundation’s appeal – with huge sacks full of donations – has been amazing and is hugely appreciated by ourselves and everyone at the Hospital.
“Christmas is a happy period but can come with its challenges for some people. Thanks to the tremendous support that we’ve had, we’re able to support people during this time.”
Callum Pollard, MY Hospitals Charity Fundraising Manager, explained: “Here at MY Hospitals Charity, we’re here to improve and enhance the services provided by the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust.
“We support everything from donation drop-offs, as kindly organised alongside Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation, to training staff and acquiring new medical equipment, such as our new MRI machines – anything that supports the services run here at Mid Yorkshire is what the charity does.
“We’ve had some incredible support from the local community, including the Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation, sports clubs, schools and individual fundraisers.
“This year we’ve had over 2,000 presents donated and I’d just like to say a massive thank you on behalf of the charity to everyone that has donated this Christmas and throughout the year. It’s massively appreciated and as you’ll have seen from the images today, it makes a massive difference and really puts smiles on people’s faces this Christmas.
“The community spirit here across Wakefield, Dewsbury and Pontefract never ceases to amaze me, not only just at Christmas, but throughout the year as well.”
To find out more on MY Hospitals Charity, head to their website by clicking here!