Ipswich Town Football Club players deliver gifts and goodwill to EACH hospice The Treehouse

Players from Ipswich Town Football Club were stars both on and off the pitch as they delivered gifts and goodwill to a children's hospice.

Blues players Sam Morsy, Conor Chaplin, Kayden Jackson, Dominic Ball and Richard Keogh visited The Treehouse in St Augustine's Road on Tuesday afternoon.

There they met children, their families, signed autographs and took part in festive crafts – as well as providing gifts for residents.

One child in particular was thrilled to meet the players.

George Woodward, a 10-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy, a condition that makes muscles weaker and can severely effect movement, is an avid fan of the Blues.

He was joined by his cousin, Dougie, with both donning their Town shirts for the occasion.

Laura Barber, George’s mum, said: “This visit has made their Christmas – both boys are massive fans and were very excited to meet the team.

“The players were so friendly, had time for everyone, and got involved with the activities.

“I appreciate it is not easy coming into a children’s hospice but they did brilliantly and seem a fantastic bunch.”

The Treehouse is run by East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

It looks after children with life-threatening illnesses and their families across Suffolk and East Anglia.

The charity is one of the four partners of Ipswich Town Football Club for the 2022/23 season, alongside Suffolk Mind, Families in Need and Her Game Too.

Part of this deal means the children supported by EACH get free tickets at Portman Road.

Captain Sam was thrilled to have taken part.

He said the team, as players, love making visits like this and seeing the happy faces, and hope it can make a difference – and a positive impact – to their lives.

Sam added: “From our point of view, it puts things in perspective and it’s so important we do things like this.

"We’re a community club and this hospice is another very important part of our community.

“These children and families are so brave and resilient. They have such a positive attitude anyway but if our visit gives them an added boost then that’s amazing and makes us very happy.”