Sheffield Wednesday special visit

Tommy spurs on neuro nurses with Sheffield hospital visit. Log on to http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Spurred-on-by-visit-from.5054763.jp to hear an interview with Tommy Spurr.

A Top city football star stepped out of the soccer spotlight to visit staff and patients at a Sheffield hospital.
Hospital charity Neurocare arranged for Sheffield Wednesday defender Tommy Spurr to tour the neurosciences department at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital – one of the UK's leading centres for neurological care.

As part of his morale boosting visit, Tommy met patient and lifelong Owls fan Jamie Bedford who suffered severe head injuries after a terrible road accident earlier this year.

Jamie, aged 25, from Lane Top, Sheffield, was hurt when he was on holiday in Cyprus with his girlfriend Nicole, 20, when their car was hit from the side by a drunk driver.

Nicole, a chef from Whiston, suffered spinal problems and is recovering well, but Jamie suffered massive head injuries resulting in short term memory loss.

The steelworker is being treated at the high dependency unit before he can be transferred to the Northern General for rehabilitation.

Tommy said: "I wanted to visit the ward and find out more about Neurocare, because I think it's really important for footballers to use their fame to play an active role in charities and the local communities in which they play.

"Hopefully I can help cheer patients up and maybe make things a little bit easier from the difficult situation they and their families are going through.

"It was a pleasure to meet Jamie as I know he's a big fan of the club and I wanted to be able to brighten up his day if I could."

Jamie's mum, Michelle Bedford, said: "I'd like to thank Neurocare for organising this visit and to Tommy for taking the time to come and see Jamie.

"He is a big fan and I know he enjoyed it. It has been a terrible time, but the doctors and nurses have been fantastic and this visit has been a real morale booster for them too."

Lesley Eland, fundraising director at Neurocare, said: "It's been really exciting to welcome Tommy onto the ward.

"He has seen exactly what we do and has been introduced to the medical staff and the amazing work they do."

Log on to http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Spurred-on-by-visit-from.5054763.jp to hear an interview with Tommy Spurr.