The opening of the website of Great Ormond Street Hospital states that it “is one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals.” It continues, “Since 1852 we’ve had the privilege of working to discover better, kinder treatments for the rarest and most complex illnesses to help children reach their full potential.
You can read about the hospital on its website of course, but as an Arsenal supporter, you might also take a particular interest in the piece from the Guardian, which is about Arsenal players visiting the hospital.
It is a piece about Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães visiting the hospital in the run-up to Christmas with red sacks packed with presents for the children in the hospital.
The article also carries the news that “Other members of the Premier League leaders’ squad are taking advantage of their first midweek without a fixture since the end of August by visiting charities connected to the club. Eberechi Eze is pictured playing bowls with Ethan Nwaneri at the Arsenal Hub – the home of Arsenal in the Community – while Mikel Merino spars with a boxing class.”
And of course one can be cynical and say, “well it is the least they could do” but then the answer is, well at least they did it. And the club recognises the connection with the hospital which Arsène Wenger himself developed, when he visited and opened new facilities during his time at Arsenal.
Arsenal are of course, not the only club that does something like this, nor the only club which supports essential work in its part of the country, but the fact is they do actually do it and bring pleasure to these children, in an event they will remember forever.
I do hope you will find a moment to read the article and reflect on the fact that this is something that the club we love has been doing for years, and still do.
Happy Christmas.
Tony
A very happy Christmas to you Tony and all contributors and posters who make this such a fantastic site.
Up the Arsenal.