SAINTS Players and Staff have donated Chocolate Oranges to Chris Lamb’s annual appeal.
James Roby and Kirsty Rush organised the collection at Langtree Park to hand over to the Saints fan for his Challenge.
The chocolate orange story started in 2008 when Chris’ son Elliott was in hospital with pneumonia.
He writes:
“One of the physios did a really good job with Elliott’s chest. Elliott loved physio because it made him feel better after. You could just tell.
“The physio did such a good job that Elliott’s oxygen saturation levels reached 100%. I bought them a chocolate orange to say thank you and word soon got round.
“The nurses and doctors love chocolate oranges so it used to cost me a small fortune whenever he was in hospital. It was worth it though because they do such an amazing job.
“After Elliott passed away in 2010 I decided to try to collect as many chocolate oranges as possible for the following year and distribute them amongst those who looked after Elliott and as a way of cherishing those special memories we all shared.
“In 2011, with the help of friends, family and colleagues we collected 145.
“In 2012, we collected 600. I can never thank everyone enough for the support they have given in the past couple of years. Last year we aimed for 700 and received nearly 2,000.”
Chris shares the oranges between Alder Hey Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Whiston Hospital, Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice and Elliott’s old school Lansbury Bridge in St Helens
A number of additional organisations have been identified to receive oranges this year due to the growing popularity of the challenge and increasing numbers from across the United Kingdom.
They are Preston Hospital, Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre, Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Willowbrook Hospice in St Helens and Claire House on the Wirral.
Chris says he has collected close to 5,000 this year and we, as a club, are more than happy to help.
Head of Sales Dave Hutchinson and Chief Executive Mike Rush (left) donate the oranges to Chris Lamb (centre)
