WATCH: Wolves visit brings community spirit and festive cheer to Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital
From posing for selfies to chatting to fans young and old alike - footballers brought a smile to the wards of Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital.
There was plenty of festive cheer as stars made Wolves' annual Christmas visit to the city's hospital.
First team players along with some of the under -21s squad spent three hours talking to staff and patients yesterday as they wished them all the best for the festive season.
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The footballers said they were pleased to make the visit and they hoped they had managed to put a smile on the faces of those who were spending Christmas in hospital.
The players who made the visit were Lee Evans, Scott Golbourne, Danny Graham, James Henry, Michael Jacobs, Tomasz Kuszczak, Jack Price and Tommy Rowe.
They were joined by Under-21s Carlo Erdei, Jordi Ortega, Albert Torras, George Swan and Bradley Reid.
The group took a break from their busy training schedule to spend three hours on a number wards across the hospital, including the children's ward and Deanesly cancer ward.
They talked to patients and staff, taking photographs or posed for selfies, as well as handing out presents.
The number of local boys who make the annual visit may have decreased over recent years but stars such as Polish born goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak or Danny Graham, currently on loan from Middlesborough, were given an idea of the strength of the Christmas spirit in the Black Country.
Tommy Rowe, a former Manchester United youth prospect, highlighted the personal significance of the visit as a young father.
He said: "It's very important to do this.
"You find yourself fortunate to be well around the Christmas period.
"A lot of these people are here over the Christmas period and will probably stay here for a lot longer so it's good to come down and try to put a smile on people's faces.
"It is a massive thing to do.
"I have got a young family myself and I couldn't think of anything worse than not being able to see them over Christmas."
Rowe, 26, also paid tribute to hospital staff and nurses across the country, saying: "The nurses here do a great job, I've got a lot of respect for them.
"The smallest thing we can do is come and help the nurses who do the biggest job day in, day out."
He also said it was important for the under 21 squad members to experience the visit, as it will hold them in good stead as their level of public exposure increases.
He said: "We've come down with a good group of lads and some of the young lads too.
"It's good for them to experience the other side of football."
One of the younger squad members, Wales under 21 international Bradley Reid clearly enjoyed his time at the hospital, later tweeting: "Lovely afternoon meeting patients at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton today.
"Incredible experience."
Hospital bosses said that the visit 'makes the day' of patients across all wards and they were pleased the players distributed various presents including official Wolves Christmas gifts, chocolates and match day tickets.
