Split into small groups of three or four, the players roamed the halls posing for photos, handing out presents, signing autographs and even singing the occasional Christmas carol as part of the club’s annual Christmas Cheer program – a joint project with club sponsor McDonald’s.
“It’s always good to be able to give a little bit back to people who are less fortunate than we are,” Tarkyn Lockyer said as the visit neared its end.
“You come in and you see these kids who, unfortunately, are in a state that they don’t want to be in, but hopefully to meet some of the guys is uplifting and with Christmas just around the corner, hopefully it gives them something to look forward to.
“To come in here and you see some of the kids’ faces light up or they get really shy, but it’s fantastic. You see some kids start crying when we come in which is not real flash, but [generally] it is great and it’s a wonderful initiative by the club and it’s certainly something that the players really appreciate.”
Lockyer, whose own son Charlie is nearly two, said it wasn’t always easy as a parent to see the predicament of some of the young patients, but felt the exercise was ultimately a fulfilling one for the players as well as the children.
“You see some of these little kids that are pretty sick and have had operations; it makes you really appreciate how fortunate you are to go home to a nice, healthy little boy,” he said.
“You just can’t take for granted what life and your health means to you.
“Some of the kids you walk in there and their face lights up and then obviously the parents are emotional just to see their kids happy; you can’t really appreciate how much pain and suffering some of these families have gone through.
“Just to have that effect by being there is sensational; it’s only a small gesture, but I think it’s a great initiative.”
Lockyer estimated about half the children he had visited claimed to be Collingwood supporters, although he suspected some may have just been telling him what he wanted to hear.
“You can take it for granted a little bit and forget what it was like to be a kid and have some AFL players come out to your school or something like that,” he said.
“I used to love it and to be able to give something back, however small, we are very, very lucky.”
