Davis Cup tennis winner visits seriously ill youngsters
James Ward and Damary Dawkins who is having treatment for leukaemia and dad Tony Dawkins - Credit: Robin Beckham/CLIC Sargent
A British tennis champion and Davis Cup winner met with youngsters being treated for serious illnesses.
James Ward and Mark Adams with Davis Cup - Credit: Robin Beckham/CLIC Sargent
James Ward, from Euston, visited younsters being treated at the University College London Hospital (UCLH) and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
The visit was organised by charity CLIC Sargent, whose Paul’s House centre is next to UCLH.
Among the patients he met was 21-year-old Mark Adams, who recently underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Tennis-mad Mark, who had to give up the sport during his treatment, said: “James has inspired me not to give up on my dream.
Tennis star James Ward with the Davis Cup - Credit: Archant
“He really had to fight to get to where he is now.
“I think it’s amazing that he stuck at it and now he’s won the Davis Cup! It’s inspiring to see he’s never given up on tennis and now neither will I.”
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James’s visit happened three days after James and his Davis Cup teammates – including Olympian Andy Murray - were named Team of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
James, who brought the Davis Cup with him, said: “The house is a sanctuary for families coping with childhood cancer and it gives them one less thing to worry about during one of the most difficult times in their lives.
James Ward presenting a cheque from his friend Ted Bak er to CLIC Sargent social workers - Michelle Vernon (L) Rowena Ellis and Audrey Murray (R) - Credit: Archant
“I have seen the difference CLIC Sargent’s support makes to families with children and young people with cancer.”
