It is an uplifting Christmas tradition: Ipswich Town footballers spreading festive cheer at children’s wards.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWNIpswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Striker David McGoldrick, defender Jonas Knudsen, and keeper Bartosz Bialkowski brought smiles to the faces of sick and ill children at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds today.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWNIpswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Joe Garner, Martyn Waghorn, and Kevin Bru also visited St Nicholas Hospital in the town.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWNIpswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWN

It marked the first of several visits over the coming days, with Colchester and Ipswich hospitals and other hospices welcoming Town stars and their presents.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWNIpswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWN

McGoldrick said: “We are fathers and there’s a lot of humbleness from us. We are really thankful for what we have got. We come here and will never shy away from it.”

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWNIpswich Town players brightening up the children's ward at West Suffolk Hospital. David McGoldrick gives Nikita Blenman an Ipswich Town teddy. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Sue Smith, fundraising manager for the My WiSH charity, which supports the hospital, said: “They never fail to come to the hospital at Christmas with gifts. It’s great, and it really does help to make it special for them.”