It just goes to show that training night and day pays off – as AFC Wimbledon demonstrated when they turned out in their pyjamas in the run-up to Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round match against West Ham.
The squad took part in a fun session on Friday in their PJs in support of their chosen charity of the year – Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, Surrey – before going on to knock out the Premier Division team 4-2.
Manager Wally Downes joined the fun alongside the players, to help promote the charity’s upcoming PJ Push – where everyone is being urged to wear their pyjamas to their offices, schools, clubs, pubs and so on – to raise vital funds for the Hospice which provides free end of life care for those who need it.
The campaign highlights the night nurse service which provides care in people’s homes across SW London, Surrey and parts of Middlesex.
Wearing a motley selection of pyjamas, onesies and charity teeshirts, the team also recruited several Wombles and Louie the gorilla – the Hospice’s designated Cuddler, who usually lives in the children’s playroom at the Hospice.
“Wally and the squad are fantastic supporters of the Hospice and we had an immense amount of fun and laughter at the training ground,” said Claire Woodward, Senior Partnership Fundraiser at Princess Alice Hospice – herself a long-term Dons fan for 37 years.
“They could not have done more to throw themselves into the campaign – except perhaps bring back the FA Cup when they once again triumph at Wembley!”
To join the Princess Alice Hospice PJ Push – choose your date between February 11 and 25 – visit www.pah.org.uk/carethroughthenight or phone 01372 461808 or see the Hospice Facebook page.