Continuing a fine tradition that has been running for a number of years now, men’s and women’s players from VfL Wolfsburg have been playing Father Christmas over the past couple of days. Wolves captain Josuha Guilavogui and goalkeeper Pavao Pervan, along with Svenja Huth and Hedvig Lindahl from the women’s team visited the children’s wards at the Wolfsburg and Gifhorn clinics on Monday and Tuesday, bringing VfL mascot Wölfi with them to spread a little Christmas cheer and also give out some small presents and home-made cookies from the Green-and-Whites’ festive bake sale.
The Christmas visit is one of VfL’s greatest traditions: this is a time of year for families and especially children, but some of them cannot spend the festive period with their nearest and dearest, and so a visit from the Green-and-Whites full of good wishes is a welcome change from their hospital treatment.
Forgetting their troubles for a little while
The young patients got to meet their heroes, who were there to cheer them up, sign autographs and pose for souvenir photos. For Huth and Lindahl from the women’s team, it was a real pleasure to see the children’s eyes light up. "It was a delight for us to be able to hand out presents and chat to the kids. I hope that we managed to spread a little joy," said German international Huth.
Tradition dear to the Wolves’ hearts
This was the first time that Guilavogui and Pervan had got to do the hospital rounds, and they spent a great deal of time with the younger patients on three of the wards at the clinic in Wolfsburg. "This is nothing like any other visit – it’s so emotional,” said the VfL captain, with Pervan nodding in agreement. “The children and their parents here are going through so much. Seeing their smiles and what a great surprise it is for them, I really felt it."
This is the 13th time that VfL Wolfsburg has come to support young patients in hospital and to play a part in the rest of their journeys.
