Dele's surprise visit

Dele Alli has paid a visit to the Vale School, Tottenham, where he surprised Mark - a young Spurs fan who is supported by Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, the Club’s Official Charity Partner and one of the organisations that benefits from money raised through this year’s Children in Need campaign.

Noah’s Ark supports children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions through their ‘Hospice at Home’ service which operates across North London.

Mark, 14, has Down’s syndrome and has been supported by Noah’s Ark for the past seven years, and his Specialist Care Worker, Jules, whose salary is funded by Children in Need, plays a key role in his life.

Jules is one of seven Specialist Care Workers at Noah’s Ark who are clinically trained to look after children in the care of the charity. He visits family homes, organises activities and fun days out and helps families build lasting memories of their child.

Dele paid a visit to Mark this week as part of this year’s BBC Children in Need appeal, which culminates on Friday 16 November. Noah’s Ark have received a grant of £82,000 from Children in Need to support Specialist Care Workers like Jules.

During his visit, Dele joined Jules in helping Mark with his Maths and English before going taking part in a music session. Mark and his classmates then showed off their sporting skills to Dele by challenging him to a game of boccia, a seated ball game that is now a Paralympic sport, organised by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation who have worked within the Vale School for 10 years.

Dele said: “It’s been brilliant meeting Mark today and seeing the smile on his face when I walked through the door. Noah’s Ark is a fantastic charity that operates on our doorstep, so it was great to see how they support children that require specialist support.”

Ru Watkins, Chief Executive, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, said: “It’s wonderful to see Dele make a surprise visit to one of our children at their school today. We’re grateful to Tottenham Hotspur for our charity partnership, helping to highlight our cause. Our charity was founded and developed by the community because local people believed our children and their families deserved more dignity and care. Over the course of the partnership, we’ve established Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice as a hub for and leader of children’s palliative care in North London.”

Through their Building The Ark campaign, Noah’s Ark is raising funds to construct The Ark - a children’s hospice building for North and Central London and Hertsmere.

If you’ve been inspired by this story and want to help, please visit BuildingTheArk.org.uk

This year’s BBC Children in Need TV appeal night takes place on Friday 16 November. The organisation provides grants to projects in the UK which help children and young people who face a range of disadvantages such as poverty, disabilities or victims of abuse or neglect.

If you would like to donate, please go to www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk