Glentoran Social Partnership has donated toys, books and specialist equipment to help support children receiving hospital and hospice care.
The donations included high chairs and sensory lights and were provided to Belvoir Ward at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Maynard Ward at the Ulster Hospital and Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.
Glentoran players joined the initiative by visiting the Ulster Hospital and Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice to deliver gifts and spend time with children, families and staff.
Ross Clarke and James Douglas visited the Ulster Hospital’s Paediatric Unit, where they handed out toys and books, chatted with young patients and posed for photographs.
Joe Thomson and Jack Malone also visited Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, where they delivered items donated by Glentoran Social Partnership and spent time with young patients, their families and members of the hospice team.
Colin Jess, Chairperson of Glentoran Football Club, said: “We are proud to support the invaluable work of the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, the Ulster Hospital and Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.
“We spoke to those providing care about what would be most useful and were pleased to donate toys, books, high chairs and sensory lights.
“The staff at each organisation do an incredible job supporting children and their families, often at the most difficult of times. We hope these donations can make a real difference, however small, to the children in their care.
“I would also like to thank the Glentoran Social Partnership volunteers who collected, packed and delivered the gifts, as well as Ross, James, Joe and Jack for giving their time and representing Glentoran so well during the visits.
“This is exactly what Glentoran Social Partnership is about: working alongside organisations doing important work and helping in a practical way wherever we can.”
Ross Clarke said:“It meant a lot to everyone at the Club to be involved, but it was especially meaningful for me because our son was born at the Ulster Hospital.
“As a dad, I know how difficult and worrying it can be when your child needs hospital care. It was a privilege to spend time with the children, their families and the staff, and we hope the visit brought a little happiness and provided a welcome distraction.
“Since joining Glentoran, I have seen how much the Club’s relationship with the community means. As players, we are fortunate to do what we do, so it is important that we give our time and support initiatives like this whenever we can.”
Sharon Pauley, Healthcare Play Specialist with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Glentoran Social Partnership and the players for visiting the ward and providing gifts for the children.
“The young patients really appreciated the visit, and we certainly had a few Glentoran supporters on the ward who were delighted to have their photographs taken with Ross and James.
“Being in hospital can be an unsettling experience for children. A visit like this brings smiles to their faces and provides a welcome distraction during their stay. It was lovely to see the players build such a natural rapport with the patients and their parents.”
The initiative forms part of Glentoran Social Partnership’s wider community programme, providing practical support to children, young people and families across east Belfast and beyond.
The Partnership engages more than 3,500 people each year and generates an estimated £2.9 million in annual social value. Working alongside schools, charities and community organisations, its programmes help tackle food poverty, promote inclusion and create opportunities for local people.
Its work was named Club Community Initiative of the Year at the 2025 NIFL Football Awards, having also received the Community Impact Award at the 2024 EastSide Awards.
