CHILDREN spending Christmas in Hull Royal Infirmary have been given gifts worth more than £3,000 by Hull City stars.
Players from the club donated gifts including Xbox games consoles, Apple iPads, televisions and signed shirts to children stuck in hospital over the festive season.
Manager Steve Bruce and players Michael Dawson, Alex Bruce, Jake Livermore, Tom Huddlestone and captain Curtis Davies went to the hospital's children's ward to deliver presents in person yesterday.
Hull City defender Alex Bruce said "We have just come to the hospital to give the children some presents – a few iPads and TVs and merchandise.
"Hopefully it will put a smile on a few people's faces who are going to be stuck in hospital over Christmas. I hope it will mean a lot."
Mum and dad Helen and Philip Walker, both 36, of Howden, were in hospital with their 18-day-old daughter Neave who has bronchiolitis.
They said they may be spending Christmas in hospital.
Mr Walker said: "It was a nice treat and the other children enjoyed it."
Mrs Walker said: "Our friend's six-year-old boy is a big Hull City fan so we got a signed poster and football for him."
Manager Steve Bruce praised his players for giving out the presents.
"It is important to give something back," he said. "Fair enough to the players, they get a lot of adverse publicity but it is for a great cause.
"Whatever we can give back, especially at this time of the year, can only be a good thing.
"It is difficult for the children and if you can cheer up the kids then that is what we are here for."
One of the players handing out teddies to toddlers was Curtis Davies.
He said: "At this time of the year, a lot of teams go to the local hospital and we know the rugby teams have been down.
"We feel that our presents will help the unit to enjoy Christmas and have a little bit of fun and take their minds off things.
"There were a couple of kids who were shouting our names in the corridor and we even converted a Liverpool fan.
"Everyone wants their local team to do well and people are happy that we are here.
"We're here to have a laugh with the kids. "Anything that we can do is only a positive thing."
One of those people delighted to see the footballing stars was mum Sally Padley, 18, of east Hull, who was in hospital with her eight-month-old son Isaac.
The mum posed for a photograph with former Spurs defender Michael Dawson.
She said: "It was an unusual but nice Christmas treat to have.
"Isaac got a teddy and they all signed it, so I'm a Hull City fan now."
Midfielder Tom Huddlestone said: "We've donated a few bits to the wards and have given the kids a few gifts.
"Hopefully it means a lot. It's not nice to be stuck in hospital but we hope it puts a smile on their faces.
"We've been signing quite a few footballs, shirts and posters.
"Little things like that can mean a lot and hopefully the kids will cherish them for a few years."
