Patients at LOROS were given an early Christmas treat on Friday when two Leicester City stars paid the Hospice an extra special visit.
Foxes players Yohan Benalouane and Bartosz Kapustka spent time at the Hospice meeting people and signing autographs, along with Filbert the Fox and LOROS Patron, Alan ‘The Birch’ Birchenall.
As an added bonus, they took the Premier League trophy with them, giving patients, their families and staff a rare photo opportunity with the cup.
Patient and lifelong Leicester City fan, Brian Kettell, 70, of Melton Mowbray, who is currently on the LOROS ward said: “What a fantastic experience; it bought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.
“Me and my family are all Leicester City fans, so being given the chance for all of us to have a photo with the players and Birch was brilliant.
“It was definitely a Christmas treat for us all.”
Another patient on the ward, Chris Foster, 74, of Saddington, said it was “really good to see the club supporting LOROS”.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting the visit, it was a great surprise”, he added.
“They took the time to visit all of us, even me, an avid Rugby fan and I got the chance to share a few stories with the Birch too.”
The players and Birch were given a special treat themselves, when they were given the chance to watch the annual Christmas Nativity play from children at The Hall School, in Glenfield, who perform for the Hospice each year.
Speaking about their visit, LOROS Patron, Birch said: “It was a special and moving afternoon and we were thrilled to be able to help LOROS make a difference to the patients and children at a time of year when we should all be caring for each other.”
LOROS President, the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Jennifer, Lady Gretton, also took time out of her busy diary to welcome the players, Birch and Filbert to the Hospice.
