Cambridge United stars Liam Bennett, Zeno Ibsen Rossi and Kelland Watts visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH) Milton base last Friday to surprise families with a special delivery of 2024/25 shirts…
The United trio met families, signed autographs and had a kickabout during a surprise visit organised to mark the launch of the new Cambridge United kits.
EACH was chosen to appear on the front of all junior shirts, after winning a public vote organised by the club and principal partner BrewBoard, and the U’s players handed out free kit to all of the children in attendance.
As well as signing tops and posing for pictures, Liam, Zeno and Kelland enjoyed meeting staff at the hospice, hearing more about the charity’s work caring for children and supporting families across Cambridgeshire.
Defender Zeno Ibsen Rossi said, “It was a brilliant afternoon and put things in perspective.
“Football can be a tool to put smiles on faces and bring people together, as we saw during this visit.
“For us, as players, we felt fortunate to be invited along. It was a privilege and pleasure to be there.”
Children were also able to enjoy some football-related crafts before tucking into refreshments together.
Among the 11 families at the event was nine-year-old Tyler Wellman, who has the brain condition lissencephaly and receives care at Milton.
Mum Aimee said, “We had such a great time and I can’t thank EACH and Cambridge United enough. The players were brilliant and it was lovely to meet them.
“It was another happy memory from our time at Milton. It’s a place that we always enjoy visiting – it’s a breath of fresh air and one place I feel truly relaxed.”
Fay Wilde, EACH’s Family Support Practitioner at Milton, added, “It was such a fun and memorable afternoon and our sincere thanks go to Cambridge United.
“It’s been great working with the club and we’re very thankful and honoured to feature on the new youth-team kit, which looks amazing.
“To mark the launch with this special visit really was great and the players couldn’t have been better ambassadors for their club.
“The way they engaged with the children and families was first-class. They had time for everyone and were in no rush to leave, doing Cambridge United proud.”
Earlier this year, EACH and the Cambridge United Foundation worked together to put on a special sibling day, for brothers and sisters who are either bereaved or have a sibling receiving care at Milton.
15 youngsters visited the Club and highlights included a guided tour of the Cledara Abbey Stadium.
They got to walk around the pitch, sit in the dug-outs and see both dressing rooms, as well as meeting club mascot Marvin the Moose.