Mikael chases away blues

Sep 27 2006 By Alison Dayani

SICK children at Heartlands Hospital were far from feeling blue when they were cheered up by one of their Birmingham City heroes.

Blues striker Mikael Forssell scored a winner with parents and youngsters when he dropped in to the Children's Ward at the hospital in Bordesley Green yesterday .

The forward from Finland rang up ward 16 at the weekend and said he would make a surprise visit, to the delight of nurses.

Hospital play specialist Christine Morrell said: "It was all very last minute, but we were delighted when we found out a footballer was coming to see the children.

"Last season we had five Blues players come here and it makes the youngsters so happy, especially at a time when they are feeling so poorly.

"The children made posters and banners and there was a wonderful feeling on the ward.

"It makes it very special when we get someone like this taking time to see the children."

Forssell signed for Birmingham City from Chelsea for £3 million in June last year.

He cheered up the children yesterday afternoon after opening a new satellite dialysis unit for kidney patients in Runcorn Road, Balsall Heath, which is also run by Heart of England Trust.