Joe Newell opens up on inspiring charity work that has helped him cope with 'hardest six months of my time at Hibs'
Joe Newell's New Year resolution was never about personal gain or development. But the Hibs skipper admits his decision in January to give weekly support to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity has provided life-changing lessons in humility, self-gratitude and a renewed sense of perspective.
It’s an inspiring Christmas tale from the 31-year-old Englishman who insists his time on the wards at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People has helped him cope with his biggest professional challenge since arriving at Easter Road four and a half years ago. He said: “It’s been the hardest six months of my time at Hibs. This summer I was made captain and there was a fresh start with David Gray coming in as the new manager. But this season didn’t start anything like we all hoped it would.
“I’m being honest, it’s in complete contrast to how I thought it was going to be. Perspective is a huge word but you can’t say it enough in terms of appreciating what some people are going through in their own lives. It’s difficult to hear some of their stories and makes you realise you can’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders over a game of football.
“There are stresses and anxieties within professional football but, at the end of the day, it’s just a game. That’s my outlook and the charity work helps me in terms of preparing for big games and dealing with pressure moments.
“Of course, I don’t do it for that reason – but it makes me realise there is more to life. At times football can feel like the end of the world – but it’s not, it’s just a game. Whenever I arrive at the hospital it puts everything into perspective.”
The catalyst for volunteering for the kids’ charity came from a hospital visit by the Hibs players last Christmas. Newell felt compelled to follow the lead shown by his mum Julia in putting others first.
He said: “We did a Christmas visit in mid-December and whenever I go to these events I end up staying for longer than the other boys. I don’t want to leave as you see the impact you being there can have on these children.
“You hear their stories and it’s heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time to see real courage. Mum is involved with a charity back home so I have a bit of that background in me.
“I felt I needed to get more involved in helping out so my New Year’s resolution for this year was to commit to a charity. I took a few weeks to decide which one but felt it should be helping children.
“It had to be the most sick and vulnerable in our society. I emailed the hospital and emphasised I wasn’t coming into this through Hibs or anything to do with football.
“I didn’t even tell anyone at the club. I go to the hospital on a Thursday afternoon and spend a few hours getting to know the children and speaking to them.
“It’s also about their families too and there are mums and dads who maybe just need a break from being on the ward. They can go down to the hub where the children’s charity is based and have a coffee and some time out. It’s coming up to 12 months since I started working with the hospital charity and being hands on with that.”
Newell has joined the board of Hibs Charity Foundation and, along with his wife Hannah and volunteers, will offer up his Christmas Day to help with their Feeding the 500 initiative. The playmaker admits getting first-hand accounts of hardships is a world away from football.
He said: “It’s been a real eye-opener to hear for myself the struggles that foundations and charities face financially. I see the fundraising required just to try to make ends meet for the good of other people.
“Feed 500 is a terrific initiative by the foundation and it’s about feeding families from within the Easter Road community. If there are families who can’t make it there is also a delivery service. It’s about helping families who are less well off or vulnerable. It can also be about helping individuals whether they are elderly or on their own.
“A lot of Ukrainian refugees have come over since the war and our striker Mykola Kukharevych has agreed to come along on Christmas Day, which is great and I’m sure they’ll love that. Imagine if everyone who was able to could give one single hour of their time to a charity each week – we would all be so much better off as a nation.
“As I’ve grown older I’ve appreciated more the impact you can have on people through being in sport. We are in a very privileged position and I’m a huge believer in using that to help others if you’re able.”
