Wellington Lions change colours for Children's Hospital

The Wellington Lions will be carrying some extra precious and colourful cargo into their Mitre 10 Cup match against Taranaki at Westpac Stadium on Sunday thanks to the young patients at Wellington Children's Hospital.

As long-time ambassadors for the Wellington Children's Hospital (WCH) the Wellington Lions players will be wearing one-off jerseys covered in doodles and drawings created by some of their youngest and bravest fans.

Most importantly, the 23 jerseys designed with the theme of the two organisations mascots Hospi and Leo the Lion, will be auctioned after the match on TradeMe to raise funds for WCH.

Wellington Lions captain Brad Shields said the squad were proud to represent such a great cause and humbled and inspired by the courage of the WCH's patients and staff.

"Rugby's a tough game, but nothing compared to what the patients, their parents and the staff go through on a daily basis. When we heard about the opportunity to design a jersey and raise some funds for the cause we couldn't wait to get involved.

"Hopefully when they see us wearing their jersey it'll put a smile on a few faces even if it's just for a small part of their day. The kids designs are amazing and now we'd love to see other people get involved and give generously through the auction if they are able."

The jersey collaboration comes on the back of an ongoing relationship between the Lions and Wellington Hospitals Foundation - the official charity for WCH - which has seen the players visit the children's ward throughout the season and also take part in the Annual Street Appeal last Friday (September 30).

Collectors will be out again on the concourse at Westpac Stadium on Sunday asking for donations ahead of Wellington's match against Taranaki, which kicks off at the family friendly time of 2:35pm.

Wellington Hospitals Foundation chairman Bill Day said the relationship with the Lions was a special one for patients and staff alike.

"The Lions have been our Children's Hospital ambassadors for more than ten years and our young patients have always looked forward to their visits on an almost weekly basis throughout the season.

"It makes the young people's days, and the staff, just a little better and I would also say for the players it's a healthy growing experience too to meet young people who don't have things quite as good at that point in time."

Day said the relationship with the Wellington Lions had been a natural fit that had been facilitated by the respective mascots.

"Hospi is brave, strong and courageous, all things associated with the Lions and with Leo, so that's actually what facilitated the relationship at the start."

It's not the first time Wellington Rugby's flagship team has changed its strip to help a good cause with Lions loose forward Ardie Savea designing a one-off jersey last year to help raise funds for New Zealand Breast Cancer.