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Wednesday, 01 October 2008
Everton Captain and England footballer Phil Neville made a
flying helicopter visit to Bolton School to thank pupils for taking
part in a schools' fundraising campaign in aid of The New
Children's Hospital Appeal. As a reward, the pupils were afforded a
once in a lifetime opportunity to ask the football star any
questions.
Schools across the North West took part in the Wear What U Want
Day - an event in which pupils were encouraged to pay £1 in return
for being able to ditch their uniform for the day!
All schools that registered were entered into a draw to become
one of four schools to receive a flying visit from the footballer,
who along with his wife Julie, is a patron of the Appeal.
Phil and Julie flew into the School in an Agusta 109 Grand
helicopter and were met by Mrs Hilary Crawforth, Head of Beech
House, Bolton School's Infants' School and cheering pupils. The
Nevilles were presented with a cheque for £500 from pupils from
Beech House, the Junior Girls and Senior Girls' schools. Mrs
Crawforth, who compered the event, said: "We are delighted to be
once again supporting The New Children's Hospital Appeal by
participating in Wear What U Want Day. We have a long tradition of
charity work and feel it is important for our pupils to be informed
about how their donation can make a difference."
Pupils from the infant, junior and senior divisions were given
an opportunity to pose quick fire questions to the football star,
following a talk from Julie Neville about how, by making the effort
to join Wear What U Want Day, they had helped The New Children's
Hospital Appeal. Phil Neville answered all his questions very
openly, saying he had begun playing football at age 6, that Wembley
was his favourite stadium, that he had won 6 Premier League titles
and 3 FA Cups, that he had scored 9 goals in his career and 3 in
his own net! Asked what he did for fun, he replied visiting Zoo
Zone with his children and skiing, although because he is a
footballer he is not allowed to take part in this activity! He said
his family also enjoyed their annual holiday to Barbados. In
summing up the day, he said: "This is a great opportunity for
children to have fun, ditch their school uniforms and help a very
special charity at the same time."
The New Children's Hospital Appeal aims to raise £20 million to
provide the new hospital, which is being built in Manchester, with
state-of-the-art equipment to help doctors provide patients with
the very best in diagnosis and care. The Appeal also aims to
provide parental accommodation facilities so that parents can stay
close to their child during treatment. So far, the appeal has
raised £15 million and there is still a year to go. When completed
in 2009, it will be the largest children's hospital in the
country.
Phil and Julie became patrons of The New Children's Hospital
Appeal after doctors at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, saved the
life of their baby daughter Isabella when she was born 10 weeks
prematurely.
Julie said: "Isabella spent her first eight weeks in hospital
and due to the lack of parental accommodation we were unable to
stay with her each night. We are supporting this Appeal to ensure
that, when the new children's hospital opens in 2009, parents will
be able to stay with their child whilst they are undergoing
treatment."
She continued: "The facilities provided by the money raised will
make a huge difference to families going through the most traumatic
period of their lives - spending time with their sick child in
hospital. It is impossible to explain to anybody unless they have
been through it themselves how heartbreaking it is to have a sick
child. But if you can be near them and stay on site with them while
they are undergoing treatment it can make a terrible situation
almost bearable."
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