This week, the Boro squad divided into two teams to visit James Cook and North Tees hospitals and help spread a little Christmas cheer.
ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton joined the North Tees contingent and watched Boro's two Frenchmen charm the children and nurses alike, before grabbing a quick word with midfield sensation Didier Digard.
The players were handing out gifts kindly sponsored by Nestle and were carrying big Christmas sacks filled with chocolate treats and presents.
Chris Riggott, Julio Arca, Gary O'Neil, Tom Craddock, Jonathan Grounds, Didier Digard and Jeremie Aliadiere separated into two small groups as they visited the children's wards.
Walking into the first ward, the boys in the second group greeted a mother and young baby. Having been told it was okay to hold the baby, Ali demonstrated his skills as a new father by carefully cradling the infant as he talked to the mother.
Ali told a reporter that his baby daughter had recently been ill and that they think she is lactose intolerant but she is fully recovered now.
Having slipped out with Julio Arca to move their cars from the ambulance bay (they had been badly advised on where to park), Digard and Ali picked up where they had left off and visited a little boy in the next ward.
Ali sat with the boy on his knee as the players posed for photos and played with a dancing Santa to make him smile. Meanwhile, Digard tried to teach the boy the 'hit Jez on the knee with the rattle' game.
The boy's mother was delighted, saying that that was the happiest her son had been in months and joked "I'll have to get his [Aliadiere's] number for babysitting!"
"No" said Jeremie in mock horror, "I've got enough with my own one!"
The players re-convened in the corridor and Chris Riggott (who was wearing just a T-shirt) looked at Jeremie's hat and scarf in an amused manner and asked him "Aren't you a bit warm Jez?"
When Jeremie responded in the negative, Riggott commented reasonably, "I can't understand it, it's freezing in Paris!"
With presents left over, the players moved on to A&E and Ali and Didier squeezed in a quick game of air hockey.
Mindful of Digard's tentative English, I asked Aliadiere if he would mind translating for Digard so I could interview him. However, he assured me Didier would be fine and if he needed him, he would help.
Jeremie explained my interview request in French and then at Didier's martyred sigh of acceptance, he left us to it.
EB: Did you enjoy today's visit?
DD: It's good when you visit those people. It is good for them and for their families, and I think it is good for us too.
EB: You were very natural with the children. You are a father yourself, aren't you?
DD: Yes, I'm a father. My son is five years old so I understand parenting. I think this is a very good operation.
EB: On to football, how have you found the season so far?
DD: It's great for me because last year I had a long term injury so when I came back, when I play game after game, it's good for the physical and technical [aspects of my game].
I think the last four games, playing game after game. it is better.
English football is more physical, it's a challenge.
EB: Speaking to the fans, you were a lot of people's choice for man of the match against Arsenal.
DD: Turns to Jeremie and points triumphantly See, me, not you!
I'm very happy. It's good for me but it was a good performance from the whole team. I think [the draw] was good but it is better to win against Fulham, three points.
EB: How does English football compare with French football?
DD: It is very different in France. It is not easy but it is much slower. Here, there is more pushing. I prefer it here, it is different football and I'm happy. It is physical and technical, for me it is better, so I like it here.
EB: You seem to have cemented your position in the team.
DD: I am very happy to be playing every week. When I came here it was for learning and playing. For me it's the best league in the world so when you play here, it is good for you as a player.
Throughout the interview Jeremie was hovering around in case Didier got stuck. He was also flicking his friend's hood up, interrupting his answers in rapid French and generally making a nuisance of himself. The banter is typical of team mates and the two Frenchmen have obviously formed a strong bond in the relatively short time Digard has been a Boro player.
EB: Despite winding you up a lot, you seem to have a very good relationship with Jeremie. How helpful has it been for you having him here at the club?
DD: It's very good and important for me. Now my English is a bit better, when I first came here I didn't speak it too well.
It is not just for the football, he's my friend. That's very important to me. He is a great player and he's very important and I love his girlfriend and his daughter now. That is really important for me.
As the interviews wound down and the last pictures were taken, the players left a pile of signed posters at the desk and a stack of presents to ensure that nobody missed out, smiling and waving as they departed.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 16/12/2008
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