Football crazy as Shrews and Bucks players visit hospital youngsters

For players from Shrewsbury Town arrived bearing gifts - followed later in the day by members of AFC Telford, doing exactly the same.

And the children on the 32-bed ward couldn't have been more pleased.

"I have loved having the football players coming in to visit us," said eight-year-old Jay Owen, from Telford, who plays for the Bucks' Under 9s squad.

"They have given me some Lego and some Dennis The Menace toys."

Although Jay was discharged earlier in the day his mother Mandy said: "He has been so excited he said he didn't want to go home until he saw the Telford United players.

"The Shrewsbury Town players came in as well, but he was just too excited and had been looking forward to it all day.

"Jay loves football, and his team have a game on Saturday and he keeps saying that he's playing. He's a right character."

Shrewsbury Town players who paid a visit included James Collins, Mark Halstead, Jordan Clark and James Caton.

They were joined by manager Micky Mellon as well as a host of staff from Greenhous Meadow who presented the children with a new Xbox, given in partnership with Toys "R" Us.

Youngsters including Sophie Morgan-Harrison were also handed Shrewsbury Town shirts as they sat and chatted with players, while midfielder Jordan Clark challenged 11-year-old Oliver Cox to a game of Fifa.

Mr Mellon said: "It's just wonderful to be here. There is never a good time to be in hospital but over Christmas it's tough. Putting a smile on the faces and giving them some presents is the least we can do. It's very humbling."

AFC Telford interim manager Andy Pryce said: "It's just nice to come over to the hospital and see everyone here. It's about giving something back to the kids who are going to be spending a lot of their Christmas here.

"We would just like to say a huge thanks to the people who have donated presents so we can do this. Really we are only dropping them off, so a lot of praise should go to the generous people of Telford.

"The team really enjoy doing it."

The Bucks players taking part in yesterday's Christmas visit included Josh Hancock, Sam Smith, Sean Cooke, Mike Grogan and Ryan Higgins.

They certainly brought many smiles to the youngsters' faces, including nine-year-old, Keira Berry, who is receiving treatment at the hospital.

Mum Carolyn said: "It is great, and it has lifted Keira's spirits so much having the Telford players here.

"She is all smiles and it's nice to see as earlier in the day she wasn't so smiley.

"I am really hoping that she will be out for Christmas but we don't know yet."

Rachael Elson, staff nurse on the ward, and she felt that the visits really meant a lot to the children.

"I think it is a nice experience for the children on the ward and they have been getting really excited about it.

"It has been quite a manic day but the children have been looking forward to it all week, and we even had Jay specifically wait for AFC Telford, even though he had been told he could go home."

This is the second visit the club has paid to the new £28 million Women and Children's Ward, which opened in September.

Back then the players handed out gifts, and yesterday they repeated the favour.

Ryan Higgins said: "I have done these types of visits before, and I have been to a few hospitals when I played for Birmingham City.

"It is just great seeing the kids and their reactions when we come here with Santa and Bobby Bucks to give out presents. It is priceless to see their faces light up."

Another youngster, Daisii Mae Fawcett-Enright, aged four, was delighted to meet the team - and receive a One Direction toy.

Her mum, Michaella Fawcett, said: "Visits like this really make the children smile and Daisii Mae is in and out of hospital so this has really lifted her spirits. Especially the One Direction toy as she really loves them."

Sister Gillian Moore, based on the children's ward: "I would like to say a big thank you to both Shrewsbury and Telford Football Clubs for visiting our Children's Ward to donate toys, games and presents for our young patients to benefit from.

"Their donations are brilliant and we really appreciate them. We also very much appreciate the players and staff taking the time to visit us at what we know is a very busy time for them.

"We've been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the community in the run-up to Christmas as we have recieved a number of other presents and donations as well.

Shrewsbury Town striker James Collins spoke of his delight as he and his Salop team-mates arrived at the hospital's new 32-bed Children's Ward bearing gifts.

"It's vitally important that we visit these kids over Christmas and try and bring them a little bit of happiness by giving them a present," said James, who acted as Father Christmas while fellow players Mark Halstead, Jordan Clark and James Caton chatted and played with the children.

"They should be at home with their families over Christmas, not in here," he added.

"When children are unwell it's tough to see but these are the youngsters that come and see us play and cheer us on so I couldn't be happier to give something back.

"I enjoy it and all the boys do. The more presents we can give out and the more smiles we can get the better.

"We've got some good presents with shirts and bibs for babies. It's just nice to see them happy."

And they certainly were happy. Little Toby Morris, who is three, is receiving treatment at the hospital and was all smiles during yesterday's visit.

"It was a big surprise to see all these Shrewsbury players turn up but Toby absolutely loved it," said mum Nicky.

"His face lit up and you could see how excited he was. It was lovely to see them."