Bolton footballers deliver Christmas toys and goodies to children's hospice

Footballers from Bolton stopped by a children's hospice to deliver some Christmas cheer.

Members of the Bolton Wanderers squad visited Derian House Children's Hospice armed with sacks full of toys and other goodies to hand out. Players Dion Charles, Jack Iredale, Zac Ashworth, George Thomason, and Kyle Dempsey toured around the Chorley Hospice to give gifts and talk to families and staff.

The footballers also showed off their competitive spirit by playing games of FIFA with the youngsters. One fan of the team, Junior Willoughby, 15, waited at the hospice doors to greet the players on Tuesday, December 19.

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Junior, who has been visiting the hospice for respite stays for 11 years, said: "It was great to meet the Bolton Wanderers. I was happy to be there, they are great players. It’s good that they came to see what Derian is like. Derian is fun and I really like being here.”

Matt Craddock, First Team Coach of Bolton Wanderers FC, also came along for the afternoon." Places like Derian House are full of amazing people – the kids and staff," he said.

"To visit Derian has been a humbling experience for us – all of the lads have said the same. And to be able to give back to what is a fantastic initiative is brilliant.

“Derian House is such a positive place. The building itself is so colourful, warm and welcoming. The staff are so enthusiastic and it just spreads throughout the place. To hear some of the stories of what Derian does is just amazing.”

Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive of Derian House, said: “We’re so