Young patients at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital got up close with the Scottish Cup yesterday, when their Dons heroes visited the wards to show off the historic silverware.
The Scottish Cup Trophy Tour, sponsored by Gary Walker Wealth Management, called at the hospital in partnership with The Archie Foundation charity, which supports babies, children and families during a hospital stay or following a bereavement.
The Dons were crowned Scottish Cup winners in May, for the first time since 1990, after beating Celtic 4-3 on penalties at Hampden.
Players Graeme Shinnie, Nicky Devlin, Ante Palaversa and Kevin Nisbet met patients and posed for photos with the trophy.
Paula Cormack, chief executive of The Archie Foundation, said: “We are very grateful to everyone who helped to make this visit happen for the patients and staff, who were absolutely over the moon to meet their favourite footballers and get the chance to see the Scottish Cup for themselves!
“We work closely with NHS Grampian and Aberdeen Football Club to arrange a players’ visit at Christmas, which is always an exciting and memorable day.
“We know how challenging it can be for children and their families when they are staying in hospital and as a charity we want to make the difference for them and make a difficult time a little easier by providing extra touches to make the experience as comfortable as possible.”
Dons captain Graeme Shinnie said he hoped the visit would be a memorable experience for the youngsters.
“It’s always a humbling experience when we visit the children's hospital, but to take along the Scottish Cup with my teammates was extra special. Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces when they got to hold the famous trophy makes you realise the true impact football can have, and the joy it can bring when people are going through a challenging period.
“I hope it's a memory the youngsters, and the staff who work tirelessly to care for those in need, will cherish.”
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation.