Andy Muirhead takes a moment to think about the children spending Easter Sunday in the paediatrics ward as he attempts to juggle three chocolate eggs.
While most kids spend their morning hunting for chocolate and salivating the scent of an oven-fresh batch of hot-cross buns, Easter Sunday in the paediatrics ward tells a different story.
Canberra Hospital has limited patients to one visitor per day to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of its patients and staff.
So the ACT Brumbies winger says the least he can do is reach out and help bring smiles to children in hospital this Easter.
Muirhead and Canberra Capitals duo Kelsey Griffin and Marianna Tolo joined in the Canberra Hospital Foundation's Paediatric Easter Juggling Challenge this weekend.
Athletes and doctors have undertaken the task of juggling Easter chocolate and posting the video on social media, hoping to bring happiness and inspire sick kids in isolation.
"It's a way of letting them know we're still thinking of them and wanting to keep in contact with the kids in those wards," Muirhead said.
"It's meant to be a good and happy weekend for kids. Unfortunately people in the paediatric ward don't get the opportunity to enjoy it as much as they would in the comfort of their own home.
"So it's just to try and help them, get a bit of a laugh or inspire them with something to do in their ward. Something like juggling.
"Us Brumbies players try to visit the ward as much as we can, but due to the regulations in place we can't do those at the moment. So, it's something we can do in this situation."
Tolo took the challenge to heart and tried to juggle an Easter bunny toy with a giant Ferrero Rocher.
Her Capitals co-captain Griffin undertook the task one-handed, with the 32-year-old forward recovering from a shoulder surgery.
Tolo laughs she shows everyone up when they post something online, and says they're privileged to be in a position to use their platform for good.
"Anything we could do, we wanted to do straight away," Tolo said.
"It's helping out kids who are struggling or just bored at the moment, to try and get the minds off their sickness.
"It's good to use your platform for good. We're hearing so many negative stories right now, so it's a chance to get some positives ones around and help someone in the process.
"Kelsey and myself value personal qualities as highly as court skills, so we try to be good people wherever possible and lead by example in that sense."
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
