Children and their families on Barnet Hospital’s Galaxy children’s ward were treated to presents galore as players from local teams Boreham Wood and Barnet FC popped in for a surprise visit.

First up were Boreham Wood FC whose players did the rounds giving out scarfs, games and cuddly toys to the children and signing autographs to the delight of some of the patients.

Fourteen-year-old Joe Marks and his mum Kate were very happy to see the players. 

“I think it’s a really lovely thing to do and his mate’s will be jealous.  It’s made us really happy, thanks to both football teams,” said Kate.

Helen Georgiou, mum to six-year-old Sofianos, said: “It’s a special time of the year and it feels really nice to have had a visit, and to have a present is a bonus.”

Sofianos added: “I can’t wait to tell all my friends at school.”

Boreham Wood Football Club manager Luke Garrard said: “It was an amazing experience and an absolute pleasure to visit the children’s ward at our local hospital.

“Even if we can put just a small smile on the faces of those children when we are there, then it’s incredible.

“Seeing the reactions of all of the boys and girls when the lads walked in with the presents, you can’t not enjoy it.”

Barnet FC footballers, alongside female players from the London Bees, did the rounds in their team colour-orange.  They even donned orange Santa hats as they gave out sacks of presents.

A Barnet FC spokesman said: “You can see from the huge smiles on the players faces how much it means to them. 

“To be in hospital at Christmas time must be very difficult for these children and their families, so if we can help to spread a little bit of festive cheer then it means a lot.”

Andrea Nicholas, senior play specialist at Barnet Hospital, said: “This really is the time of the year where football clubs want to reach out to all their fans, even those who have to be in hospital, and I think it’s a really lovely thing for them to do."

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Fourteen-year-old Joe Marks with players from Barnet FC and the London Bees