YOUNG patients at Oxford Children’s Hospital were given some festive cheer yesterday when Oxford United’s first team squad took part in their annual present drop-off.

Every member of the side arrived at the hospital, on the John Radcliffe site in Headington, bearing gifts donated by U’s supporters for young patients receiving hospital treatment in the run-up to Christmas.

Liverpool supporter Lucas Randall, six, from Cowley, received his presents from goalkeeper Max Crocombe and centre-half Michael Raynes.

His father Paul said: “Lucas is mad for the football, he has been to the Kassam loads of times and he sits on my lap. He doesn’t know the difference between the two teams so he cheers no matter who scores.

“We will be talking about this for days now, it really breaks things up during his stay here.”

Our top stories

Mr Raynes said: “I have been up here the last two years. It is nice to come.

“It is hard to see that children are going to be here over Christmas but it is a nice thing to do.

“It breaks up the day for them which is a nice thing.

“The fans have donated the presents and I think every year they have got better and better.

“It puts a smile on everyone’s face.”

Abingdon teenager Luke Biggs, who has to regularly spend time in hospital after undergoing two bowel transplants, also received a visit from the team.

Members of the squad cheered him on as he played the computer game Grand Theft Auto.

He said: “It was nice to see the guys because I play FIFA a lot and I like to play as them. They are much bigger in real life than they are on the pitch.”

Luke is hoping to be able to go home today for Christmas.

U’s business development manager Peter Rhoades-Brown said: “I have been at the club for 30 years and I did this when I first signed.

“It is all about putting smiles on kids’ faces.

“We have players who are dads and some who do not have any kids.

“People may say it brings them down to earth but our players do not need that, they appreciate this community.”



Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.