Hospital visitors just oarsome (From Oxford Mail)

Hospital visitors just oarsome

6:00am Tuesday 16th December 2008 in

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Three rowers put smiles on the faces of sick youngsters at the Oxford Children’s Hospital yesterday by showing them their medals from the Beijing Olympics.

Acer Nethercott, Peter Reed and Andy Triggs-Hodge toured a number of wards at the hospital.

The rowers, all Oxford University graduates and members of the university boat club, chatted with children and parents on the Drayson, Bellhouse, Melanie’s and Kamran’s wards.

The children’s hospital is part of the West Wing, which is on the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

Harrison Anton, 12, a pupil at the Dragon School in North Oxford, spoke to the rowers after an operation yesterday morning for appendicitis. His father, Alexander, 49, of Banbury Road, Oxford, said: “Harrison is a sculler at the school, so he is delighted to meet the Olympic rowers.

“The care here has been excellent and this has put a smile on his face.”

Katie Brock, from Watlington, met the Olympic medallists with her daughter Charlotte, 10, who had suffered a collapsed lung.

Mrs Brock said: “Her right lung collapsed on Friday after she suffered a bad chest infection, but fortunately she has improved since then.

“Seeing the rowers has really cheered her up and put a smile on her face.

“The staff here have been fantastic and I have been able to sleep beside Charlotte in the ward. This is definitely the best place for her.”

Mr Nethercott told the Oxford Mail that he and his fellow rowers enjoyed meeting the young patients.

He added: “Showing the children your medal really brightens up their day. We have done a couple of school visits as well, and the children respond really well to the visits.”

Alice Gosling, head of fundraising for Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, said: “We are delighted that the rowers have taken the time to come here to visit young patients and see the facilities we can provide.

“I hope we can build on the relationship we have established with them because their visit has really helped the kids.”

• Acer Nethercott, 31, a graduate of University College, won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics as the men’s Eights cox.

Peter Reed, 27, and Andy Triggs-Hodge, 29, were members of the gold medal-winning Men’s Coxless Four, which stole victory in Beijing from the Australians in a nail-biting final by 1.28 seconds.

The three rowers were all members of Oxford University’s winning 2005 Boat Race crew.

Mr Reed is a graduate of Oriel College, while Mr Triggs-Hodge attended St Catherine’s.

Before going to Beijing, Mr Neithercott was under the care of the cardiac department at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

He was diagnosed with syncope, which causes fainting, but was told how to manage the condition and was able to take his place in the team.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk