Youngsters at a children’s hospice in Ipswich got the chance to meet stars from panto and the football pitch yesterday thanks to a surge in support for the reverse advent calendar appeal.

Ipswich Star: Roxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWNRoxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWN

In the morning, the cast of the Regent Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk paid a special visit to The Treehouse, which is run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Ipswich Star: Players from Ipswich Town visited children and families at the EACH Tree House. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPicture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPlayers from Ipswich Town visited children and families at the EACH Tree House. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPicture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson, Emmerdale and Dancing on Ice star Roxanne Pallett and BBC Radio Suffolk’s Wayne Bavin brought plenty of Christmas cheer as they arrived at the hospice in full panto dress.

Ipswich Star: Sophie and Maisy Kidd-Munnery with Luke Chambers. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNSophie and Maisy Kidd-Munnery with Luke Chambers. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Later that afternoon Ipswich Town stars Luke Chambers, Dominic Iorfa, Grant Ward and Tom Adeyemi also visited the centre.

Ipswich Star: Maisy Kidd-Munnery with Luke Chambers. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNMaisy Kidd-Munnery with Luke Chambers. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Natasha Brame, EACH Suffolk community fundraiser said: “It was a really exciting morning for those we support. A big thank you to the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk for coming along and putting so many smiles on faces.

Ipswich Star: Players from Ipswich Town visited children and families at the EACH Tree House. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPlayers from Ipswich Town visited children and families at the EACH Tree House. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Daniel Brand, activities assistant at the Treehouse said the Ipswich Town players visit has become a highlight of the year for the hospice.

Ipswich Star: Alexis Fordham, Janice Clark and Matthew Clark getting excited before meeting the players. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNAlexis Fordham, Janice Clark and Matthew Clark getting excited before meeting the players. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

He said: “We really appreciate them visiting and making this magical time of year that extra bit special for our families.”

Ipswich Star: L-R Helena Perkins, Luella Perkins, Matt, Maisy, Sophie and Poppy Kidd-Munnery. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNL-R Helena Perkins, Luella Perkins, Matt, Maisy, Sophie and Poppy Kidd-Munnery. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

The charity currently cares for 120 children and young people at the Treehouse.

Ipswich Star: Roxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWNRoxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Ipswich Star: Luke Chambers meeting Sarah Shemmings and Bobby Bolton. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNLuke Chambers meeting Sarah Shemmings and Bobby Bolton. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Luke Chambers meeting Bobby Bolton, Sarah and Jacob Shemmings. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNLuke Chambers meeting Bobby Bolton, Sarah and Jacob Shemmings. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Luke Chambers meeting Sarah Shemmings and Bobby Bolton. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNLuke Chambers meeting Sarah Shemmings and Bobby Bolton. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Roxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWNRoxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Ipswich Star: CallumHurst colouring with Grant Ward. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNCallumHurst colouring with Grant Ward. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Dominic Iorfsa and Tom Adeyemi with Luella Perkins, Maisy Kidd-Munnery and her sister Poppy. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNDominic Iorfsa and Tom Adeyemi with Luella Perkins, Maisy Kidd-Munnery and her sister Poppy. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Grant Ward helped Matthew Clark with his colouring. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNGrant Ward helped Matthew Clark with his colouring. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Grant Ward making a bauble with Poppy Kidd- Munnery. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNGrant Ward making a bauble with Poppy Kidd- Munnery. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Roxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWNRoxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Ipswich Star: Sarah and Jacob Shemmings , Bobby Bolton and Callum Hurst at the EACH Tree House. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNSarah and Jacob Shemmings , Bobby Bolton and Callum Hurst at the EACH Tree House. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Tom Adeyemi, Luke Chambers, Dominic Iorfa and Grant Ward with Bobby Bolton, Sarah Shemmings, Jacob Shemmings and Callum Hurst Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNTom Adeyemi, Luke Chambers, Dominic Iorfa and Grant Ward with Bobby Bolton, Sarah Shemmings, Jacob Shemmings and Callum Hurst Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Players from Ipswich Town visited children and families at the EACH Tree House. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNPlayers from Ipswich Town visited children and families at the EACH Tree House. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Roxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWNRoxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Ipswich Star: Roxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWNRoxanne Pallett (left) meets Ava Streatfield. Picture: GREGG BROWN