Photo opportunity: Tuesday 14 December at 3pm at the Rainbow Ward, West Suffolk Hospital. Ipswich Town players visit the ward to give out Christmas presents to the young patients.

Footballers from Ipswich Town’s first team will visit West Suffolk Hospital’s Rainbow Ward on Tuesday to spread some Christmas cheer and hand out presents to patients.

The players will spend time talking to the children and their families and signing autographs before giving out presents which they have paid for themselves. They will also leave some permanent toys, including a portable DVD player, on the ward for future patients to enjoy.

Ward manager Ann Robinson said: “ITFC’s annual visit to the ward is always a major highlight of the festive season for our young patients, and helps heighten excitement in the run up to the big day itself.

“We really appreciate the fact that the players take time out of their busy training schedule to come along and pay our patients a visit, and would like to thank both them, and the club, for their continued support.”

ITFC club captain David Norris said: “The visits to the local hospitals and hospices at Christmas are an important part of our build up to the festive season, and being able to take gifts in to the children and adults we’re visiting is really rewarding.” 

Following Ipswich Town’s visit, the Beck Row Bikers will come to the ward at 3pm on Sunday 19 December to give out toys to the patients.