Walsall players take time out to make Christmas visit to hospital patients - WATCH and PICTURES
They may be in the middle of a gruelling season but Walsall Football Club's players showed their true colours with a visit to hospital patients.
Twelve of the first team squad and manager Jon Whitney visited wards at Walsall Manor Hospital to talk to patients and their families.
This year the players also made time for elderly patients, many of whom are living with dementia, to enjoy a cup of tea and a chat.
Walsall captain Adam Chambers said: "We always come and see the children who are in hospital to bring them presents that have been collected by the Walsall Football Supporters Trust and this is something that's very important to us as a local club.
"But we also want to spend some time with elderly patients who may have no family members and may be feeling quite lonely this Christmas.
"We understand from talking to Trust staff who care for these vulnerable patients that they love remembering years gone by, recalling sporting events and enjoying some banter.
"We're also looking forward to saying hello to staff, many of whom will be working all over Christmas and New Year and sacrificing time with their own families."
Some players and club mascot Swifty visited ward 21 and the paediatrics outpatient department while others went to wards one to four.
The visit has become an annual tradition at the hospital.
Debbie Shaw, older people's mental health liaison clinical nurse specialist, said: "This is a lovely gesture from Walsall Football Club as everyone tends to think of children at Christmas, and rightly so, but our elderly patients will really benefit from attention too.
"When we've had visits from other sporting heroes in the past our patients have talked about it for ages afterwards."
Club manager Jon Whitney said: "I have been with the club for 13 years and this is my first time doing this as manager, so it is a proud moment.
"It's nice to see the lads outside of training or a match getting along so well, they are a great group and have really took to this nicely. It's lovely for the kids to get a present and a visit from the players and also for the parents. I think it cheers them up.
"I have children myself and I can't imagine being in here at Christmas time is something they enjoy.
"As a club its important that we do this and show that we are a part of the community."
The players also spoke of their pride at representing the club in the community. Defender Jason McCarthy said: "It is good for the soul to do this. I feel like if we can give the kids a smile at Christmas then we should, so it feels good."
The squad mingled with patients young and old at the hospital.
They also took time out to sing Happy Birthday to 80-year-old Walsall fan Des Westwood, who called the experience 'unbelievable'.
Earlier they had wished youngsters the best for the festive period. Nadine Grant, 32, from Willenhall, whose son Elijah Grant-Rose, eight, was in hospital with abdominal pains, met the players.
She said: "He is such a sporty kid and it will be a great boost for him seeing the players.
"They are such a nice bunch of football players."
Keen gymnast Elijah called the visit 'unbelievable'.
