Josip Stanišić brings courage and comfort to seriously ill children

Courage and comfort for seriously ill children at Christmas time: FCB pro Josip Stanišić visited the Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital in Munich. Accompanied by Santa Claus, the defender visited the intensive care unit and children with severe bowel diseases and lung diseases.

‘I wanted to give children love and closeness’

“When you see how the children and their families are doing, you just want to bring a bit of joy into their lives,” said a moved Josip Stanišić: “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, and this was the right time to give children love and closeness.”

The defender didn’t just sign autographs, he also had exciting talks with the children – from football in general to scoring goals and reading children’s books to questions the young Bayern fans always wanted to ask. Stani was a welcome and very special visitor for the young patients who unfortunately have to be at the hospital at Christmas time. The Bayern pro was amazed by the magic tricks performed by the children.

Lots of presents

The 25-year-old brought FC Bayern teddy bears, signed jerseys, scarves, hats and sweets with him. And a pen with which he was to sign all sorts of toys and clothes: “It’s a nice experience: you enter with a tear in your eye and leave with a little smile because it makes you so happy to bring joy to the children!”

‘It’s a blessing for our children’

Guggy Borgolte, in charge of donations, public relations and administration at the Hauner foundation, was delighted about the visit: “It’s a blessing for our children, we wanted them to feel comfortable at the clinic – so it was a huge highlight of course!”

Josip Stanišić concluded: “It makes me happy to see the children are fighting and not giving up in these difficult times! I can learn a lot from that!” He wants to come back soon.

Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry visited the children’s oncology ward in November: