The stars of Ipswich Town were out and about spreading Christmas cheer yesterday with visits to patients in Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town players, Paul Anderson, Stephen Hunt and Conor Sammon are at St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich giving out presents. Julia Stannard is pictured with the players.Ipswich Town players, Paul Anderson, Stephen Hunt and Conor Sammon are at St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich giving out presents. Julia Stannard is pictured with the players. (Image: Archant)

Three members of the squad visited St Elizabeth Hospice while four of them went to see children on Ipswich Hospital’s Bergholt Ward.

Samantha Catling, marketing and communication’s officer at the hospice, said everyone there enjoyed the visit by Connor Sammon, Paul Anderson and Stephen Hunt.

“It was absolutely lovely. It was so nice to have them here, it always is,” she said.

“They came onto the ward and spent time with our inpatients.

“We had a Christmas party today and the boys joined in there and served them mince pies and gave them presents.

“They had a kick around with some of the lads in our gym too.

“It is always a big boost having them come in.”

Ms Catling added some of the hospice’s patients were unaware the players were going to visit.

She added: “We surprised them when they walked in. The look on their faces was lovely.

“The football club is so supportive. They come in every year and we are so grateful that they do come in for it.

“It is a lovely present for the staff and volunteers as well as the patients.

“One of the lads said he’d pop in after training as well which is so lovely. They are all such lovely guys.”

At the hospital Daryl Murphy, Teddy Bishop, Cameron Stewart and Jay Tabb all spent time giving out presents to children on Bergholt Ward.

“We were absolutely delighted to welcome members of Ipswich Town,” said Jan Ingle, press officer at the hospital.

“It was a real boost for the children, young people and their families.”

ITFC PR manager Jade Cole said the players all contributed to fund used to buy the presents for the visit.

“We took presents for the hospital and hospice to keep for everyone to benefit from and little presents for the patients.

“It’s not very nice to be in hospital at Christmas so it is a nice thing to do.

Team manager Mick McCarthy said: ““These visits are really humbling.

“Somebody at the hospital I went to pointed out that we’re talking about children who have life-threatening illnesses and she said it creates memories, which I thought was a nice way of putting it.”