Story added: 15th December 2014

Fifteen bereaved children treated to special day at Carrow Road

It wasn’t just a special day on the pitch on Saturday – up in the stands a group of fifteen bereaved children enjoyed a day out to remember at Carrow Road.

The group of youngsters received free tickets to the game, a special post-match football training session with CSF coaches and to top it all off – a surprise visit from City shotstopper John Ruddy.

Norfolk-based charity Nelson’s Journey, which helps children who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life, joined forces with Norwich City Community Sports Foundation to deliver the group their special day.

The children and volunteers were given free tickets to the Huddersfield game and enjoyed an emphatic 5-0 victory for the Canaries.

The children and volunteers then got to play some football themselves with a special session after the game at the Carrow Park facility by the stadium, led by CSF coaches.

The big surprise was still to come however.

City goalkeeper, John Ruddy, who the children had just watched keep Huddersfield at bay with a series of fine saves, popped over to say hello at the end of the session.

He talked about the match, signed shirts, gloves – and even football boots – and took the time to pose for photos with every child.

“It’s fair to say the children have all had a tough time of late,” said Ryan Doubleday of Nelson’s Journey. “Giving these children a day out like they’ve had today is so important. The massive smiles showed just what it meant to all of them.”

It was also a day of recognition for the charity’s volunteers and in particular, one individual.

Volunteer Zoe Bett, nominated by Nelson’s Journey for her tireless commitment to the charity, was given the honour of placing the matchball on a special plinth prior to kickoff.

Nelson’s Journey, based near Norwich and founded in 1997, has helped hundreds of children who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life, such as a parent or sibling.

You can find out more about the Nelson’s Journey charity here.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to see photos from the day