Past and present Wycombe Wanderers stars visit Trust to spread festive cheer to children
Former Wycombe Wanderers player and Chair of Academia Technology Group, Andrew Harman has generously donated more than 700 Christmas gifts to children at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville hospitals and to Bucks families via our community teams. Andrew was joined by current Wycombe Wanderers football club players Tjay De Barr and Jasper Pattenden on a visit to the children’s ward at Wycombe Hospital on Monday to hand out presents donated by Academia.
The annual tradition sees Andrew and his team from Academic Technology Group join forces with the ‘Chairboys’ to spread some festive cheer. The football stars spent time talking to the youngsters on the ward, playing games and taking photos. Wycombe Wanderers also kindly donated match tickets for their fixture against Bristol Rovers at Adams Park on New Year’s Day to the staff and patients on the ward.
Andrew, who is passionate about his organisation’s engagement in a wide range of charitable initiatives each year said: “It’s always a pleasure for us to visit the hospitals and deliver presents for children and families who may miss out on some of the enjoyment that Christmas brings by being in and out of hospital over the festive period.
“It’s a small token of our consideration for the challenges they are going through and each year we want to do something a little bit special to bring a smile to their faces.
“We also feel it’s important to thank the staff who do a wonderful job caring for their patients and their families, not just over Christmas but all year round.”
Jasper Pattenden added: “Tjay and I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and loved spending time with the kids. It’s my first time visiting the hospital and I think it’s an incredible gesture from Andrew and Academia to donate all these toys and games each year.
“Thank you to Andrew and the hospital for inviting us along and we look forward to seeing plenty of the staff and the children and their families at Adams Park on New Year’s Day.”
Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse said: “It’s always an absolute pleasure to welcome Andrew and Wycombe Wanderers to the Trust – the relationship goes back many years. We are very grateful to the players and to Andrew and the team from Academia for their time and generosity. Their visit brought Christmas joy to our young patients and to the staff on our children’s wards.”