Werkself bring festive cheer to Leverkusen hospital

Jonas Hofmann, Kristin Kögel and Co. took plenty of time our for this very special event before the last matches of the year (men at RB Leipzig, women against Bayern Munich). They travelled from the BayArena to Klinikum Leverkusen laden with treats, Pixie books, cuddly toys and furry balls to bring a smile to the faces of the patients with an early present before Christmas Eve.

Brian the Lion brings sparkle to children's eyes

Arriving on the ward, the Bayer 04 mascot Brian the Lion, dressed up as Father Christmas, made the children's eyes light up. Among other things, the fluffy lion gave away mini versions of himself. The nurses and doctors took the opportunity for a selfie with the players or to spontaneously have Christmas presents and posters autographed.

Dr Dejan Vlajnic, Medical Director at the hospital, was delighted with the Werkself's visit: "A stay in hospital is always a bit monotonous. It's associated with a lot of things, but not with Christmas, not with presents, not with nice people. We, of course, are nice too (laughs), but this is a very special occasion. And not just that as it really enriches the day for children and families."

Blaswich and eight-year old Lara play table football

The Bayer 04 guests also popped into Lara's room - and the eight-year-old challenged them to a table football match. She really showed what she can do alongside team-mate Janis Blaswich as they secured a 10-9 victory over the Louisa Remien/Niklas Lomb team. Kögel, when asked about Lara's table football skills, said: "You can tell this isn't the first time she's done this. She’s talented! (laughs)"

Kögel: "formative experience and lots of love"

Melissa Friedrich and Co. also visited the paediatric palliative care unit 'Zeitinsel', which opened at the hospital this summer and is only the third of its kind in Germany. Vlajnic: "Palliative means we look after children with life-limiting illnesses. In other words, children who are seriously ill, who have a congenital disease, who don't grow as old as other children, who often don't reach adulthood and therefore have many different complaints. And we take care of the families and their children and alleviate the symptoms as best we can."

Kögel was moved by the work on the wards: "It was a formative experience to simply see what happens here on a daily basis, how much love is put into doing something good for the families and children, and how much support everyone who needs it receives here. There is a very warm, cosy atmosphere. I am happy and proud we were able to contribute to that today."

Hofmann also summed up the visit emotionally: "When you see the children here, it really gets to you. On days like this, you realise even more how important it is that you and your children are healthy. It grounds you in a certain way. I'm glad we were able to bring a little joy to the children and also to the nursing staff and wish everyone a peaceful Christmas."

And just as the players were saying goodbye, a little girl left the ward - her dad on her left hand, a mini Brian the Lion in her right...

Bayer 04 wishes all children and families as well as all doctors and nursing staff a Merry Christmas, lots of love and good health!