NORTHERN Health patients, visitors and staff received a special visit from Melbourne Victory Football Club players last week.
Victory players, forward Andrew Nabbout and midfielder Elvis Kamsoba, surprised some of Northern Health’s youngest patients in the Children’s Ward and Emergency Department, providing early Christmas cheer to children in hospital.
Players posed for photos, signed autographs and even played kick to kick with some of their fans, raising the spirits of patients and families.
Children’s ward nurse unit manager Courtney Lowry said it was fantastic to have the Melbourne Victory players visit the children in the ward.
“It’s lovely to see the kids’ excitement and smiles on their faces which makes their hospital stay that little bit easier. We even had one boy not wanting to be discharged home just so he could meet the players,” Ms Lowry said.
Melbourne Victory players have made several visits to the hospital, made possible by long standing Northern Health Foundation supporter, Turosi La Ionica.
Turosi marketing manager Pina Di Donato said the best partnerships were the ones where they could work together to benefit the community.
“We are proud to partner with Melbourne Victory FC in a way that brings such joy to the patients and staff at the Northern Hospital,” he said.
Turosi’s Foundation, Turosi Giving, also donated $10,000 to Northern Health Foundation for the purchase of medical equipment in the children’s ward.
That is so sweet.