Wigan Warriors continued their Christmas tradition as they made their annual visit to the Ribblesdale Ward at Royal Preston Hospital on Friday, bringing gifts and good cheer to patients and staff.
The visit began in 2016, arranged by one of Rosemere and Ribblesdale's long-term supporters Helen Duchamp, formerly of Bamber Bridge, and now of Grenoble. Helen's mother Jill Brakewell spent time as a Ribblesdale patient before sadly dying of leukaemia in November 2015. Warriors fan Jill adored Christmas, and her family wanted to honour her memory by spreading joy to others spending the festive season in hospital.
Since then, barring the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cherry and Whites have made a December visit to Rosemere Cancer Centre’s in-patient Ribblesdale Ward an annual tradition. Players arrive bearing gifts for patients, and their presence brings smiles, laughter, and a sense of joy to those who need it most.
The visit this year, with Noah Hodkinson, Dayon Sambou and Finley Yeomans was made possible thanks to the generosity of Martin Newton of City Investments Preston and Joe Bannister of Nathan’s Chartered Accountants.
RSM UK sponsored selection boxes that the Warriors players gave out on the ward.
Sue Swire, Fundraising Manager for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “Thanks again to Wigan Warriors for taking the time out to visit the Ribblesdale Ward. The patients and staff really appreciate it, particularly at this time of year. It helps lift everyone’s spirits. And thanks to Martin Newton, Joe Bannister and RSM UK for all their help and generosity.”
Warriors full back Noah Hodkinson summed up the spirit of the visit: “It's always good to give back to the community. Wigan have been doing this for a while, visiting hospitals and schools, and we try and come in and brighten people's day up. It was good to see some Wigan fans on the ward as well.”
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated not only at Rosemere Cancer Centre, the region’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, but also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties. The charity funds cutting edge equipment, research, training and other cancer services and therapies that the NHS is unable to afford. For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit rosemere.org.uk
