Members of the Everton FC Women squad spread joy as they visited Claire House Liverpool to support our Butterfly Bake.
Players brightened the day of young Evertonians supported by the hospice when they joined them for cake decorating on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan along with midfielders Lucy Hope and Heather Payne posed for photos, signed autographs, and chatted to families.
During the heartwarming event, children teamed up with the Everton Women players and Claire House staff to participate in the workshop.
Families and players set to work piping, cutting, and colouring a variety of tasty football-themed cupcakes to take home.
The Everton Women teammates also enjoyed a tour of the West Derby site, which adds to the lifeline support offered at the full hospice in Wirral and in the community.
It raised awareness for the Butterfly Bake – an annual event that shines the spotlight on the vital end-of-life care at Claire House.
Speaking about the visit, Everton’s Lucy Hope stressed the importance of giving something back to the community.
She said: “It’s been incredible to visit Claire House Liverpool and help to raise awareness of the Butterly Bake.
“We’ve been cake decorating so it’s been light-hearted, everyone was in a good mood, and we’ve been getting covered in flour!
“If I had all the money in the world, I would give it back to Claire House. Families would be so lost without Claire House.
“They can come here, smile, enjoy themselves and take their minds off everything that is going on at home. Claire House is like a hug to the families.”
The Butterfly Bake is named after the bereavement care provided at Claire House and at homes across Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales.
Last year, Claire House cared for and supported 100 babies, children and young adults at the end of their life.
Cora Shafto, Community Engagement Manager at Claire House, said: “It was lovely to welcome Everton Women to Claire House and great to see some of our families spending time with the players, having fun and decorating football-themed cupcakes.
“We would like to say a massive thanks to Courtney, Heather and Lucy for rolling up their sleeves and helping to support this year’s Butterfly Bake.
“There are lots of different ways you can get involved and by taking part in ‘raising some dough’ for Claire House, you could be helping our vital end of life care provided by our Butterfly team.”
At the end of the visit, the players handed out tickets for the families to attend the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
