Young adults receiving treatment and care for cancer were treated to a special visit from Leeds United duo Patrick Bamford and Adam Forshaw on Wednesday afternoon at St James’s University Hospital.
The surprise visit to the Bexley Wing was organised with Yorkshire Cancer Research to mark its third season as our official charity partner.
For the first time since the Covid pandemic hit, the players were able to spend time chatting and having photographs taken with patients receiving care on the ward, even stopping to have a game of pool with one of the young patients.
Patrick spoke to LUTV during the visit and said: “It’s amazing to be able to spend time on a hospital ward again and help bring a smile to some of these patients while they’re going through such a difficult time. It’s so important that we’re able to take time out to do this type of thing for our fans and people throughout Leeds. It especially helps to put everything into perspective for us.”
Katie Sweeting, Matron for the Teenage and Young Adults Cancer Unit at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, added: “It’s fantastic to have visitors like Patrick Bamford and Adam Forshaw. It gives such a lift to the ward and everyone on it. It’s been really hard for those being treated for cancer, and also for the staff, during the last couple of years. Seeing several of our patients chatting and playing pool with their heroes is a real joy.”
Since being formed 97 years ago, Yorkshire Cancer Research has invested millions of pounds in research in Leeds. The charity will be continuing to work with Leeds United during the 22/23 season to raise awareness of cancer signs, symptoms and risk factors, and to highlight the important work it funds in the city.
Adam said: “The NHS has really gone above and beyond during the past few years, so we’re here to show how grateful we are to the doctors and nurses who work so hard every day to provide the very best care for people in Leeds. And it’s important to remember that this wouldn’t be possible without all the incredible research that goes on behind the scenes, funded by charities like Yorkshire Cancer Research.”
Juliet Glendinning, Director at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “It’s moments like this that make us so glad to be Leeds United’s charity partner for a third season. The club and the fans have shown the charity so much support during the past two years, and we can’t wait to offer those affected by cancer more opportunities like this during the year.”
Leeds United are proud to once again be partnering with Yorkshire Cancer Research, with the hopes that alongside the charity we can help to make some special memories for people who have been affected by cancer one way or another throughout the city, across the 2022/23 season.
For further information around the work being done by the local charity, please click here.
