Panthers help make kids smile at The Children's Hospital at Westmead

Yesterday saw the Penrith Panthers making a special visit to Westmead Children's Hospital to spread some much needed Christmas cheer to some tiny patients.

Cameron Ciraldo, Ethan Cooke, Jake Grace, Adam Docker, Nathan Smith, Mosese Pangai and Sam Anderson joined the team from Wishing Hearts to tour the wards and hand out some very special teddy bears.

Wishing Hearts is a charity that raises funds to support children with congenital heart disease, but yesterday the bears were handed out to a wide range of patients in the hospital. The teddy bears were adopted and named by generous donors to Wishing Hearts.

The players spent approximately two hours touring the wards, and saw first hand how giving back makes a significant difference and many remarked on how much they enjoyed seeing the kids smile.

"It was intense but an incredible experience. Seeing tiny kids smiling through their pain makes you realise how lucky you are", said Jake Grace.

The players were struck by the courage of the children.

"The little boy who said he wishes he was getting a new heart for Christmas, that was rough. He's one brave kid," remarked Adam Docker.

As the group left the hospital, the players were asking when they could make a return visit. Everyone at the Penrith Panthers would like to thank Wishing Hearts and the Westmead Children's Hospital for giving us the opportunity to visit and meet the inspirational kids.