The Accrington Stanley squad paid a visit to the children’s ward at the Royal Blackburn Hospital to spread a bit of Christmas cheer.
The whole team made the trip after training to hand out Christmas cards, presents and signed Stanley merchandise to young patients and their parents.
The players spent an hour touring the wards, handing out gifts, which were bought by the Stanley Community Trust, and chatting to children, parents and staff.
Assistant manager Jimmy Bell said: “It’s mixed emotions every time you come to the children’s ward.
“You try to come and cheer the kids and their parents up and hopefully that helps but it’s hard to see them in here, especially during this festive period.
“It’s nice to spread the name Accrington Stanley around by doing things like this but the first and most important thing here is to spread a bit of Christmas spirit and show these youngsters what it’s all about.”
Stanley midfielder Andy Procter added: “This is something we try to do every year and it doesn’t get any easier to see these youngsters in hospital at this time of year.”
