Parramatta Eels players Clint Gutherson, David Gower, Kirisome Auva’a and Dane Aukafolau today visited Alice Springs Hospital, in particular the children’s ward before spending time in the Women’s Shelter.
The Eels spent the day meeting some young patients and their families, joining in on some arts and crafts, handing out some gifts and taking plenty of pictures with the NT locals.
See some highlights in the video above.
“There just happy we were here, and if we can put a few smiles on a few kids faces in the hospital, its always a good sign especially at this time of year,” Gutherson said of the visit.
“We’ve been up here the last three or four years, so its getting bigger and bigger for us as a club and the community,” he added.
“They get around us so we help them out as well, so it’s good.”
David Gower touched on how important it is to keep these children in care in good spirits around the Christmas period and his experience in the Northern Territory.
“If we can take their mind off it, even if it’s just a minute or two and put a smile on their face it’s really rewarding,” Gower said.
“I don’t think they really know who we are, which is fine, I think they like getting little gifts and little presents that we can give to them.”
“Just anything that will take their mind away from their surroundings and give them a little bit of happiness just for a brief moment.” Gower added.
“We feel like we come home when we get up here now and we really enjoy coming and seeing all the kids and seeing the progressions that we’ve made in the last four years.”
Whilst the Blue & Gold will not have a pre-season trial game in the NT next year, Gower is looking forward to our Round 14 NRL Telstra Premiership clash against the North Queensland Cowboys at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
“Obviously when your talking about competition games there’s a lot more at stake,” he said.
“For us at the moment it’s a lot more relaxing being in Alice and just being able to spread the community message that we are with our partners and when its game time it’s a lot more serious, there’s a lot more at stake.”
“Were in Darwin to do a job and hopefully get the two points when the time comes.”
