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GALLERY: Wolves stars bring Christmas cheer to children during New Cross Hospital visit

Wolves stars brought the Christmas cheer as they visited the children's ward at New Cross Hospital.

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Senior players Morgan Gibbs-White, Helder Costa, Ivan Cavaleiro and captain Conor Coady were joined by three under-23 players and three Wolves Women players in visiting sick children at the hospital.

Managing director Laurie Dalrymple and executive chairman Jeff Shi also joined the players, donning Christmas jumpers in the process.

The annual visit by Wolves stars saw the players handing out gift bags to the children in the ward playroom, before visiting some of the most ill children in their rooms.

Captain Conor Coady, who has two children aged one and three, was keen to spread some joy down the wards.

He said: "It's close to my heart and lovely to come and do, when Christmas comes around I look forward to doing this, spreading some happiness.

"I have two boys of my own, so having them in hospital at this time would be devastating, so I can understand what these parents are going through.

"If we can spread some happiness that would be nice.

"To imagine children in any time is horrible, but at Christmas it's really sad, but if we can help and perk up their day a little bit then that's what we want to do.

"We have some of the star players here with us, not myself though, but for the lads to come, we really look forward to it and we want to see the children and make their day.

"This is part and parcel of being a footballer, Wolverhampton as a whole and the way the supporters are behind us is fantastic, so to give that little bit back is always nice."

MORE pictures from the visit

Conor Coady with, left, Charlie and Casey-Leigh Stokes
Jeff Shi, front, and Laurie Dalrymple, left
Conor Coady and Morgan Gibbs-White with Lee Stokes age 7
Morgan Gibbs-White with Chloe Cooper
Wolves stars pose for photos with patient Meadow Howarth
Charlotte Magee with son Xavier and Wolves Women players Billie Haynes and Tammi George
Helder Costa with 5 month old Breazr Harper-Crutchley

Kim Fitzmaurice and her son Ethan Dickens, aged five, enjoyed talking to youth players Niall Ennis, Pedro Goncalves and Cameron John who were helping the youngster draw and paint in the playroom.

Kim said: "Ethan's kind of a Wolves fan, he's definitely not West Brom.

"It's nice, especially at this time of the year when kids aren't too happy in hospital, it's lovely.

"It's for the community, it's always nice for anyone like that to come and do something like this.

"Ethan didn't really know who they were at first but once I said he was excited.

"They're lovely lads, it's hard for lads this age to spend time with kids, but they've been great with him, he's enjoyed himself.

"We only found out on the day they were coming, I was excited for my son."

Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple said: "We see ourselves as being a community football club, it's in the heart of the community, the stadium is in the heart of the community and the more we can do to give back to all of our fans the better.

"Christmas is a time about family and togetherness, so if bringing the players here is an opportunity to give something back to people less fortunate then we'll gladly do that.

"A lot of the club's representatives are parents, so it will probably resonate, especially in a children's ward - so we'll gladly give up as much time as we can to give the Christmas experience to them.

"We've had a good week, so the mood in the camp is good, we're looking forward to the weekend and we're pleased with where we are at the moment."

Kirsty Cooper was with her daughter Chloe, aged five, when she was joined by the Wolves stars for a photo, evening getting a toy as a gift.

Kirsty said: "It was a nice surprise, unexpected.

"I had a hint they were coming so made sure I was here.

"She asked when the Wolves were coming, but I don't think she really understood who they were.

"It's lovely for them to do, they're just normal people, just like us and there for the children."

Star player Morgan Gibbs-White, who has come off the back of some recent impressive performances, was on hand to help paint and draw with the players.

The 18-year-old said: "It's nice to give back to the public, to come to New Cross and see the smiles on the kids faces really boosts your Christmas spirit and hopefully we'll boost their's too.

"We're all normal people, no matter what job we're in or what life we live, we all have feelings and it's nice to express them.

"It means a lot to come in, the main thing is seeing the smile on their face, that's what brings me joy.

"It was nice to walk in and see them."

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