Helping to spread some Christmas cheer
By Mark Stevens
17/12/20
With Christmas just a week away, the Exeter Chiefs squad have been doing their bit still to help spread some festive cheer to those working or having to spend time at the nearby Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.
In what has been a challenging year for all of us, the Chiefs have worked closely with the hospital’s communications team to produce a series of videos - thanking the champion staff at the RD&E for their efforts in dealing with the global Covid-19 pandemic.
These videos are currently being beamed each evening on the side of the hospital’s Oncology building - and proving hugely popular with those visiting the site.
Equally, the Chiefs players are not letting the Covid outbreak prevent them from putting together a stack of presents for youngsters, who will be spending the festive period on the Bramble Children’s Unit.
Sadly, regulations mean the players themselves will not be able to make their annual visit to the Unit, but this week Kye Munslow from the playing side staff delivered a number of presents and Chiefs goodies to staff, who will dish them out to patients coming onto the unit.
Chiefs and England star Don Armand, who helped to oversee the collection of presents - and who also featured in the videos - said: “As a squad we are disappointed that we won’t be making our annual visit down to the Bramble Unit, but that doesn’t mean we are not able to carry out putting together sacks of presents for the patients.
“For us as players and also as parents ourselves, it’s about giving something back to those people who are suffering around Christmas time. Our aim is to bring some Christmas cheer to the patients, families and the amazing staff.It’s something that’s very important for all of us here at the Chiefs.”
As well as presents bought personally by the players, youngsters on the Bramble Unit were also presented with Junior Chiefs Supporters packs, all of which had been purchased through the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, the club’s official charity.