“It does make you realise there’s a lot more to life than football.”
A visit to the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice yesterday gave Huddersfield Town players a chance to pause and reflect on life - and death - ahead of one of the biggest games of their careers so far, against Manchester United.
Players saw for themselves why the hospice is one of the club’s three supported charities this year.
The players saw the music and teenage rooms, the sensory room and the hydrotherapy pool, among other facilities – and were hugely impressed.
Defender Tommy Smith said: “It’s been a real eye-opener. The effort and work and time that the people who work here put into this place is nothing short of amazing.
“Some of the facilities here are incredible. It does make you realise there’s a lot more to life than football.”
Club ambassador Andy Booth said: “We’re playing Manchester United on Saturday – probably the biggest game of their careers, but you come here and you realise it’s just a game of football.
“It’s been a great experience for the lads to come and see what it’s all about.
“Obviously we talk about it at the club, but to see it first-hand – this is what it’s all about; this is real life, and it puts it all into perspective.”
Forget Me Not chief executive Peter Branson is delighted that the hospice is one of the club’s charity partners.
He added: “It’s a major opportunity for our children’s hospice, not just because of the fundraising that the club is doing for us but because of the awareness-raising.
“Going into the Premier League means Huddersfield Town can offer us a lot more visibility and we’re delighted that our logo is on the club stands.
“Not every family who needs us knows about us – but they can just call us up if they have a child with a life-shortening condition.
“A huge thank you to all the players who took the time to come and see us, and we wish them all the best in their match against Manchester United tomorrow!”
