Leicester Tigers brought some festive fun to children, parents and staff at Derbyshire Children's Hospital.
Young patients chatted to club captain Geordan Murphy, fly-half Jeremy Staunton and wing Johne Murphy during a visit on Thursday.
The Tigers players handed out early Christmas gifts, including match tickets, and signed autographs and posed for photos with the patients, their families and nursing staff.
Geordan Murphy said: “It is nice to be able to come round and have a chat with the children and their families. This can be a difficult time of year but hopefully we are able to put some smiles on their faces.”
Johne Murphy said: “It's important for us to visit the children, especially at this time of year. Some will be spending Christmas here so we're trying to give something back.”
Staunton added: “The nurses and medical staff do a fantastic job. Speaking to the children, they make a big difference so it’s nice to see them and hopefully put a smile on some of their faces as well.”
Play team worker Nikki Pateman said: “It’s fantastic to have the Tigers players here. It boosts the morale of the children and also of their parents and the members of staff.
“The children love it. The smiles on their faces make it all worthwhile.”
Young patients chatted to club captain Geordan Murphy, fly-half Jeremy Staunton and wing Johne Murphy during a visit on Thursday.
The Tigers players handed out early Christmas gifts, including match tickets, and signed autographs and posed for photos with the patients, their families and nursing staff.
Geordan Murphy said: “It is nice to be able to come round and have a chat with the children and their families. This can be a difficult time of year but hopefully we are able to put some smiles on their faces.”
Johne Murphy said: “It's important for us to visit the children, especially at this time of year. Some will be spending Christmas here so we're trying to give something back.”
Staunton added: “The nurses and medical staff do a fantastic job. Speaking to the children, they make a big difference so it’s nice to see them and hopefully put a smile on some of their faces as well.”
Play team worker Nikki Pateman said: “It’s fantastic to have the Tigers players here. It boosts the morale of the children and also of their parents and the members of staff.
“The children love it. The smiles on their faces make it all worthwhile.”
