Andy’s patient receives once in a lifetime Make-A-Wish UK experience
Andy’s Children’s Hospice were delighted to be able to help Chelsea FC fan, Leo Stenner, on his dream trip to visit the Chelsea FC training ground, all thanks to Make-A-Wish UK and Chelsea Foundation.
Chelsea mad Leo has been an Andy’s patient since 2022, and it was Children’s Nurse Emily Briggs who made the referral to Make-A-Wish, who were able to grant Leo’s wish.
Speaking to Leo’s mum Gemma about the experience she said, “Emily sorted everything out for us – in terms of the referral and Make-A-Wish took care of everything from there. They were obviously aware that he’s not been very well recently. Everyone knows how big of a Chelsea fan Leo is – his clothes are all Chelsea, his medicine bag, literally everything! So, it was a really good wish to be able to have.
“Although when we spoke with Make-A-Wish about what wish Leo wanted, the first thing he said is that he wanted to be a rock star,” Gemma laughed, “so we kind of had to remind him that this is going to be a once in a lifetime chance and it needed to be something he would really cherish.”
Make-A-Wish gave the family the option of attending a Chelsea game or being able to visit the training ground for a meet & greet. Despite both being great options, Gemma knew it would be “once in a lifetime” so meeting the players was the only choice.
With everything set and booked, the family were ready to go. However, Leo’s condition deteriorated, and he was unfortunately in and out of hospital in the run up to the event.
“It had been really touch and go as Leo was very unwell and was even in hospital on the Monday before we were due to go down to London on the Wednesday,” Gemma explained.
“We weren’t sure if he was going to be well enough to go, you know which would have been awful. We wanted him to be excited, but we were also just trying to kind of not build it up too much just in case. Even on the way there, there were complications, and we didn’t know if we’d need to come home. But luckily Leo stabilised, and we got there.”
Thanks to Make-A-Wish, the family were put up in a hotel and they enjoyed a complementary meal before the big day!
“The whole day was incredible. Leo was so excited to meet all the players but especially Cole Palmer – Leo is obsessed!
“All the players stood behind Leo for a photo, and we said to him “look who’s next to you” and he immediately looked the wrong way!” Gemma laughed, “But when he saw Cole, his face was such a picture. He asked Cole if he wanted to come to our house and if he could take a penalty.
“He was excited to meet all the players, but Cole was definitely the favourite. He was great as well; Cole took the time to have a chat with Leo and he was just brilliant with him. He really made the time for the kids.”
Ever since the trip, Leo has said “it was the best day of his life.”
At Andy’s, our mission is ‘to make each day count’ and we’re proud to be able to work with Make-A-Wish UK to support our patients and their families in creating lasting memories.