Super Saddlers bring festive cheer to youngsters at Walsall's Manor Hospital
Smiles lit up the faces of poorly young patients at Walsall Manor Hospital when star Saddlers players popped in to bring them some festive cheer.
The entire Walsall team along with manager Dean Smith paid a visit to the children's wards yesterday afternoon to deliver gifts.
Many of the youngsters were grinning from ear to ear as the stars went around chatting to them and their parents.
Liam Kinsella, James Baxendale, Paul Downing and Richard O'Donnell were joined by their team-mates as they laughed and joked with the families.
They called into ward 21, the adolescence games room, the paediatric assessment unit and the outpatients department during their 90-minute visit.
While in the outpatients waiting room the lads burst into an impromptu performance of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to the delight of the children and the staff who rewarded them with a round of applause.
James Chambers said: "It is a privilege for us to come and spend some time with the children before Christmas Day. It's good to be able to do something to lift their spirits and to give the parents a few words of encouragement.
"I'll be spending the big day with my mom and my brother Adam and our uncle. Then on Boxing Day we'll have a home match against Swindon."
Among the youngest patients they spoke to was 15-month-old Amy Jones, who received two teddy bears and sweets.
Her mother Caroline Jones, aged 24, of Millfield Avenue, Little Bloxwich, said: "My husband Kevin is a big Saddlers fan. He left just before they all walked in. He'll be gutted when he finds out that he missed meeting the team. It was really nice surprise for them to come in and say hello to the children. Amy is really pleased with her teddy. This is the first time that she has lifted up any toys this week."
