Cambridge United stars – and Marvin the Moose – have a ball at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices

Cambridge United stars made Christmas wishes come true when they met with young fans receiving care from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (Each).

Kelland Watts, Elias Kachunga, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Liam Bennett and Brandon Njoku were joined by assistant head coach Barry Corr, goalkeeper coach Martin Davies and mascot Marvin the Moose in delivering presents, signing autographs and posing for pictures at the charity’s Milton base.

It came hot on the heels of the U’s Giving Day for Each, which took place when the club played Shrewsbury Town earlier this month.

As well as spending time with children receiving care, they also had chats with siblings and parents, including the family of Albie King.

The two-year-old has Aicardi-Goutières syndrome and was joined by parents Mathew and Stacey.

“We were fortunate to meet the players at the hospice earlier this year, and it’s something that left a lasting impression on us. As soon as we saw they were coming back, we signed up straight away, and they were brilliant once again, taking the time to chat and spend time with us,” said Mathew.

He added: “As a supporter, I’m proud of the club and also thankful to everyone at Each. The hospice is an important place for us, and we’re grateful for the care Albie receives.

“The staff are always excited to see him, which we love. He has fun here, they look after him and while people may think of a hospice as a dark, gloomy place, we know it can be full of colour and bubbliness. This event was a great example.”

Also excited to meet the players was 13-year-old Abbie Denston, who was there with mum Lisa and brothers Jake, 18, and Tyler, 10.

Abbie has a rare gene mutation which has created a number of other health complications, including epilepsy and hypertonia. She has been receiving care since she was a year old and her family are regulars at Milton.

Lisa said: “The players were brilliant, asking questions, listening and wanting to know lots about Abbie.

“We had a fantastic time, and this was an example of a fun event – the kind of thing people don’t always associate with a children’s hospice.”

Each is the U’s designated charity partner for the 2024-25 season, and more than 70 family members receiving support from the charity were invited to attend the recent League One fixture against Shrewsbury, which the U’s won 4-1.

The players wore shirts bearing the charity’s logo, after BrewBoard kindly allowed its sponsorship to be foregone for the day. All shirts were then signed and are being auctioned in the new year.

There was also a bucket collection outside the ground, while fans were invited to make a donation via the club’s Just Giving page.

Striker Kachunga said: “I loved visiting the hospice and being in a position to put smiles on faces, meeting the children and talking to the people who look after them – both family members and the care team.

“As professional footballers, we know how privileged we are, and a visit of this nature really is the least we can do. It’s an important part of our jobs.

“People in the community turn out and support us, so it’s important we show up and support our community.”

Senior corporate fundraiser Hannah Forbester manages Each’s relationship with the U’s.

“We’ve had a brilliant year, and it’s been lovely to see our relationship with the club grow and blossom throughout 2024,” she said.