Spurs star Udogie meets hospice children
Spurs left-back Destiny Udogie took time out from training to meet youngsters at Noah’s Ark children’s hospice with gifts like his own ‘match day’ shirts.
He met seven children and their families including 10-year-old Hamza Palas, a huge Spurs fan from Enfield, whose 14-year-old sister Gulirem has diamond-blackfan anaemia, epilepsy and microcephaly.
“Having a special needs sibling isn’t easy for Hamza,” his mum Betul Palas said. “But he felt so special meeting Destiny and said it was a day he would never forget.”
The hospice in High Barnet has been helping the family since 2012 with music therapy, family days and home support volunteers.
Zareiya Barnes, a 13-year-old also from Enfield, was overjoyed to meet Destiny. Her six-year-old brother Taner Cimener has Menkes disease, a rare genetic disorder.
Their mum Victoria Charalambos said: “It was a dream for Zareiya to meet Destiny — she still has a smile plastered on her face. Zareiya is ‘football mad’ and hopes to play in the women’s league one day.”
Christina Lucas-Dodsworth came from her home in Northwood to meet the player with her sons Arthur, who is just one year old, and Joseph, who is nine. Little Arthur had severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and has had music therapy, baby massage and movement therapy.
Christina said: “Joseph was absolutely star-struck seeing Destiny and couldn’t quite believe he was meeting one of his favourite players.”
Udogie, who joined Spurs in 2022 from the Italian club Udinese, has made 30 appearances in 2023-24 competitions and been shortlisted for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award.
He said: “Spending time with the incredible kids and their families at Noah’s Ark has left me inspired and grateful for the strength, courage and love they show every day.”
Noah’s Ark takes referrals from the London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington as well as Hertsmere in Hertfordshire to provide services for seriously ill babies, children and young people.
It helps youngsters make the most of every day, to enjoy life as children rather than as patients, and their parents as families not just carers.
