Forest Green players took time out of the busy festive fixture programme to spread Christmas cheer at the Children’s Centre of Gloucestershire Royal Hospital last week.

Eight players visited the ward alongside manager Mark Cooper, chief executive Helen Taylor and club secretary James Mooney.

They gave out gift bags full of presents to children and delivered a shirt signed by the players for the ward.

Helen Taylor, FGR chief executive said: “It’s a really busy time for the club over Christmas but there’s nothing more important than reaching out to the community and supporting those in need.

“Christmas is a tough time for a child to be in hospital, so we were really pleased to be able to come in, give out some prezzies and put some smiles on young faces.”

The Gloucestershire Royal Hospital is the largest provider of children’s services in Gloucestershire. Every year, doctors and nurses at the Children’s Centre treat more than 8,000 children in hospital wards and see more than 23,000 at appointments.