St Kilda footballers took a break from their pre-season training to cheer up patients and staff at Peninsula Health early in February.
Team Captain Nick Riewoldt and Vice Captain Lenny Hayes visited Rosebud Hospital while players Sam Gilbert, Sam Fisher and Luke Miles dropped in at Frankston Hospital while their team is staying on the Mornington Peninsula.
Staff in the dialysis unit at Rosebud Hospital greeted Nick and Lenny, wearing red, black and white halos on Wednesday 3 February.
As the two captains toured the hospital, they spent time chatting with patients and staff, including some thrilled St Kilda members and supporters.
Both players enjoyed posing for photos and signing autographs and were amused when patient Julia Healey wanted to measure herself against the tallest men in the building.
Players Sam Gilbert, Sam Fisher and Luke Miles cheered up children in the paediatrics ward at Frankston Hospital on Thursday 4th February.
The children were surprised to meet the football stars who were keen to learn about each individuals experience in hospital. The three men even shared some of their own personal encounters as patients with the children.
Ward 4GS, complete with St Kilda fans in patients and staff, also received a visit from the players who were able to ‘talk tactics’ with a couple of avid supporters.
The hospital visits were part of St Kilda’s AFL Community Camp which saw the club spend a week on the Mornington Peninsula engaging and training with schools and the local community.
(L-R) St Kilda Captain Nick Riewoldt, Rosebud patient Julia Healey and Vice Captain Lenny Hayes measure up for size.
