GALLERY: Walsall stars bring Christmas joy during hospital visit

Saddlers players brought a smile to patients' faces when they visited Walsall Manor Hospital to spread some festive cheer.

Walsall FC players visit the children's ward at Manor Hospital, Walsall. Players with Lola Llewellyn, aged 5, from Bloxwich

As part of their annual Christmas tradition, the first team squad, and their mascot Swifty, took time out from training to visit patients and give something back to the community.

Walsall players brought some Christmas magic with them and handed out gifts to the children and their families on the paediatric ward.

GALLERY: Highlights from the visit

Walsall FC players visit the children's ward at Manor Hospital, Walsall Ibrahim Mohammed, aged 6, from Walsall meets Stuart Sinclair, Cameron Norman, Elijah Adebayo and Callum Cockerill-Mollett.

Walsall FC players visit the children's ward at Manor Hospital, Walsall. Toby Gallear, aged 3 from Brownhills, meets Callum Cockerill-Mollett, Wes McDonald and Caolan Lavery.

Walsall FC players visit the children's ward at Manor Hospital, Walsall. Cameron Norman and Caolan Lavery meet baby Kobi Edie, aged nine weeks as his auntie Freya Felton looks on.

Walsall FC players visit the childrens ward at Manor Hospital, Walsall..Toby Gallear, aged 3 from Brownhills, meets Swifty

Walsall FC players visit the children's ward at Manor Hospital, Walsall. Players meet fan Mark Harris.

Walsall FC players visit the childrens ward at Manor Hospital, Walsall..Poppie O'Shea, aged 9, from Walsall, with Liam Kinsella

All of the gifts for the children had been donated by Walsall fans and members of the Walsall FC Supporters Trust at the match on Saturday.

There were smiles all round as the players then headed over to the elderly care ward, and swapped stories with the patients who reminisced about the team's history.

As well as meeting patients, the Saddlers also spoke with hospital staff, from doctors and nurses to clerical staff.

Midfielder Stuart Sinclair said: "It's great for us to be out and see the local community, especially in the hospital, and spread some Christmas cheer to those who really need it.

"It's a good opportunity for the lads to see how fortunate we are as we get to play football over Christmas and there are people who will be spending it in hospital.

"It was also nice to speak to the staff who work at the NHS Trust and learn about what work they are doing and get a different perspective."

Georgie Westley, fundraising manager at the hospital, said: "We look forward to our visit from Walsall Football Club every year as the team is really popular among patients and staff.

"As well as the children's ward, they have also visited some of our elderly patients and enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane and having a laugh."