Ospreys Help Raise Cash For Kids

Signed Ospreys goodies donated to Singleton Hospital by the players during their recent regional tour have raised more than £300 at a Christmas charity auction.

Ospreys stars Gavin Henson, Barry Williams and Ryan Jones paid a visit to the hospital's children's wards at the end of November, spending time signing autographs, having photos taken and chatting with the kids.

They donated an Ozzie the Osprey cuddly toy and an Ospreys match shirt signed by the entire squad, which was auctioned via The Wave radio station to raise funds for the hospital's 'Cash for Kids' appeal. Ozzie went for £65, and the shirt went for a very respectable sum of £250!

The money raised will be used to purchase equipment for the wards and will benefit many children from across the Ospreys region.

Sarah Watchman, personal secretary to the Service Manager in the department of child health was largely involved in organising the visit. She said:

"We would like to express our thanks to all who made this visit possible and for the team members who were so kind to the children. They were so excited to meet Gavin, Ryan and Barry, although I think some of the female staff on the ward were more thrilled about meeting Gavin than the kids!"

Barry Williams, Ospreys captain, said:

"The boys and I thoroughly enjoyed the hospital visit, you can't fail to admire the courage and attitude of some of the children and it certainly makes you put things in perspective. The kids were great fun, we had a bit of a laugh and a joke with them and they seemed pretty pleased to see us! The visit brightened up our day and I hope it did theirs!"