Leicester City stars visited poorly children in hospital to wish them a happy Christmas yesterday.
Club mascot Filbert Fox and players including Andy King, Kasper Schmeichel, Lloyd Dyer, Anthony Knockaert and Jamie Vardy met young patients on the Leicester Royal Infirmary children's ward.
They handed out gift bags, signed autographs and posed for photographs during what has become a popular Christmas tradition with the players, as well as patients and hospital staff.
Goalkeeper Kasper said: "It's very mixed emotions because it's not nice to see kids ill but if it helps them a little bit, it's worthwhile.
"I've got two kids myself – a two-year-old and a baby who's nine weeks old – and you know this could easily be you and your kids.
"I do know that when I go home, I'll remember how lucky I am."
City captain Wes Morgan said: "The kids in here are going through a difficult time and it's great to see their faces light up when we go round bringing some Christmas cheer.
"We've met a few Leicester supporters and we've been having a chat and handing out goodie bags.
"Some of them are wishing us good luck, too.
"They know we've got a tough gig on Saturday against Cardiff City."
City fan Hamzah Tapali, 14, of Evington, Leicester, who is recovering after an operation on his leg, had a chat with Kasper.
Hamzah said: "It was brilliant and I was really excited to meet him. He brought a smile to everyone's face and told us all to get well soon.
"Quite a few of the players came to say hello to me and had their pictures taken with me."
The youngsters said they were all happy with their goodie bags, which included a chocolate selection box, a Filbert Fox cuddly toy, a DVD, a flag and a mug.
Laura Fox, whose six-year-old son Alfie Poxon met the players, said: "He's very happy with his Filbert Fox toy and enjoyed seeing them all coming round and chatting to him. He's just had an operation on his toes and hopefully he won't be in here too much longer.
"But he was so excited he asked me if he could come back in to hospital every week."
Amy Ingleton, 12, of Seagrave, who has been on the ward since Sunday, said: "We met Kasper and he gave me a bag of presents and he was really nice."
Mum Jo said: "We're not really football fans and I wasn't sure who they all were but they were very nice.
"Nice to look at, too."
