AFC players from Sunderland, including as Luke O’Nien and Grace McCatty, visit ailing kids at the local hospital.

AFC players from Sunderland, including Luke O’Nien and Grace McCatty, visit ailing kids at the local hospital.

player stars from Sunderland AFC’s men’s and women’s teams took time out of their busy schedule to spread festive cheer to sick children at the city’s hospital

Prominent members of the Sunderland AFC women’s and men’s teams took a break from their hectic schedules to wish ill children in the city’s hospital a happy holiday season.

Even though they are fighting for promotions, the football players stopped to greet and take photos with sick children at Sunderland Royal. Football clubs have made it a festive tradition to visit hospitals and cheer up kids who are going through a tough time, and this year was no exception.

The athletes, which included women’s squad stars Grace McCatty and Libby McInnes as well as men’s captain Luke O’Nien, made time to take pictures with the dedicated NHS heroes.

The best players gave gifts for children in the hospital going through difficult times, including Jude Scott, Eve Anderson, Sky White, and Jacob Merryweather.

Sunderland AFC players Dan Neil, and Anthony Patterson with Healthcare Assistants Helen Hudson, left and Lesley McKenna, right on the Children’s Ward at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Sunderland AFC players Luke O’Nien, Daniel Ballard, Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil visiting 12 year old Jude Scott in hospital

Soccer star Daniel Ballard with 10-year-old Eve Anderson on the children’s at Sunderland Royal