A West Coast Christmas: Fat Cat, Eagles bring joy, spirit and smiles to Perth Children’s Hospital
Christmas West Coast Eagles arrived early at Perth Children’s Hospital on Tuesday as they swapped their football boots for Santa hats to help wrap presents for brave young patients and spread festive cheer on the wards.
The hospital turned into a scene out of a Christmas movie, with carols filling the air. telethon stars dance to festival favorites and Fat Cat makes a grand entrance to join in the festivities.
Children squealed with excitement as they helped fill Fat Cat’s Santa sack with carefully packaged gifts—teddy bears, cricket sets, footballs, and backyard tennis sets; each was for a child who spent Christmas in the hospital.
Former Junior Telethon Stars Kenley Martin, Jordan Blair, Harrison Carthew and Florence Shanks were right in the middle of the action; They worked side by side with the actors as papers, ribbons and sticky tape flew in every direction.
The eagles arrived to spread the Christmas spirit and moved from room to room to meet children who were too unwell to participate in the activities.
For 15-year-old patient Keaton Crowther, the visit was truly magical. He just got out of surgery on Monday and was surprised to meet his favorite actor, Harley Reid.
His mother, Claire, said it was a moment he will never forget.
“Keaton was born 31 weeks premature and had approximately 10 surgeries, including open-heart surgeries,” he said.
“He wasn’t sure he would be able to play football for the next two years but his surgery was a success. It was incredible to meet Harley, who he absolutely idolises.”
Keaton was a lifelong Eagles fan.
“He sleeps with Eagles balls, teddy bears, bedding, jerseys, goes to all the games,” Claire said.
“It meant the world to him to meet his favorite player, especially after the surgery.”
Former Eagles champion Nic Naitanui said the visit remains one of the most meaningful traditions the club has been part of.
“Wrapping presents for sick kids who can’t go home and spend Christmas with their families is the least we can do,” she said.
“Some children won’t get to see Christmas either. Being able to bring joy to them, their parents and also the staff is a huge bonus.”
Naitanui said it was special to see the players through the eyes of the children.
“These kids are superheroes to them,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s hard for parents or nurses to get kids to do things, but when Harley Reid walks in and tells them, ‘It’s an easy yes.’
The real champions, he said, are the children and families themselves.
“They are an example of resilience. What they go through is much tougher than anything on the football field,” Naitanui said.
Eagles forward Ryan Maric agreed that the visit was as important for the team as it was for the kids.
“Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces makes us smile, too,” he said.
“Something small like wrapping gifts or spending time with them; if that makes them feel a little better, that’s great.”
Linebacker Tom Cole said days like this bring everything back into perspective.
“Seeing kids smile is obviously better than winning a football game,” he said.
“Hopefully this will help them a little bit as we head into Christmas.”
