Dec 9 2008 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Echo
Members of the GB Olympic team at Alder Hey
OLYMPIANS hailed Alder Hey's young patients as heroes when they made a special Christmas visit to the children's hospital.
Seven members of Team GB were greeted with carols and cheers by excited youngsters who are facing spending the festive period in hospital.
The squad included boxing gold medallist James DeGale and bronze medallist David Price, and Liverpool-based gymnast Beth Tweddle.
Along with high jumper Martyn Bernard, diver Blake Aldridge, boxer Tony Jeffries and Paralympian rower Alistair McKean, they met youngsters on the oncology ward.
They included 16-month-old Nicolas Rennuy-Metcalfe, who has a rare cancerous tumour in his stomach.
His dad Kevin, of Crosby, said: "Like these boxers, he is a little fighter.
"We face nine months of treatment, including operations, chemo and radiotherapy, but we are determined to get through it and come out the other side.
"We are being positive and the prospect of facing Christmas in hospital is helped by visits like this.
"I think Nicolas has enjoyed all the attention."
Tweddle, who trains in Toxteth, said: "Nobody wants to spend time in hospital over Christmas and it is really good to be able to help spread a bit of festive cheer. Some of the children watched the Olympics on the television so were really excited to see us.
"It was a real privilege for us to meet them too and to see what a wonderful place Alder Hey is.
"They are the real heroes."
Price, of West Derby, said meeting the youngsters was "extremely humbling".
He said: "I have a young daughter and just love children.
"If she was in hospital at this time of year, or any time of year, I would be devastated.
"To be able to do something like this for a hospital is what Christmas is all about."
DeGale added: "The children were so excited. It was really great to know that we have helped put a smile on their faces in the run-up to Christmas."
Alder Hey's Angela Jones said of the visit: "It was just magical in every sense of the word."
carolineinnes@liverpoolecho.co.uk
Pat McLaren
Head of Communications and Marketing
Communications Department
Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP
Internal ext. 3502 Direct Tel: 0151 252 5967
E mail: Pat.McLaren@alderhey.nhs.uk
Web: www.alderhey.com