Chiefs help spread some Christmas cheer

By Mark Stevens
22/12/21

With Christmas just a few days away, the Exeter Chiefs squad have been doing their bit still to help spread some festive cheer to those working or having to spend time at the nearby Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

In what has again been a challenging year for all of us, the Chiefs players are not letting the current Covid outbreak prevent them from putting together a stack of presents for youngsters, who will be spending the festive period on the Bramble Children’s Unit.

Sadly, regulations mean the players themselves will not be able to make their annual visit to the Unit, but this week first team stars Don Armand, Ollie Devoto, Stuart Hogg and Jannes Kirsten delivered a number of presents and Chiefs goodies to staff, who will dish them out to patients coming onto the unit.

Chiefs and England star Don Armand, who helped to oversee the collection of presents, said: “As a squad we are disappointed that we won’t be making our annual visit down to the Bramble Unit, but that doesn’t mean we are not able to carry out putting together sacks of presents for the patients.

“For us as players and also as parents ourselves, it’s about giving something back to those people who are suffering around Christmas time. Our aim is to bring some Christmas cheer to the patients, families and the amazing staff.It’s something that’s very important for all of us here at the Chiefs.”

As well as presents bought personally by the players, youngsters on the Bramble Unit were also presented with Junior Chiefs Supporters packs, cuddly toys and other Chiefs-related gifts all of which had been purchased through the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, the club’s official charity.