This is the second year the players have visited the hospice during the festive period.
A Christmas visit from Colchester United football players has lifted spirits at a hospice.
St Helena Hospice, in Colchester, provides end-of-life care for patients and their families.
This is the second year players and staff from Colchester United, including captain Tom Flanagan, have visited the hospice with gifts and donations.
Matron of the inpatient unit Kirsty Smith said: "It was really lovely to see them again."
Christmas can be a difficult time for the hospice and "having special moments like this around this time of year really means a lot to them," she added.
Flanagan said: "I was expecting something a bit down and gloomy but it's such a nice place to come, everyone is so happy.
"This is a good little thing that we do."
The team brought gifts for the children who are using the bereavement services and weighted blankets for the patients.
Scarlett, 12, who is being supported by the hospice's bereavement services, said she was "very shocked" to the see the players.
She said the footballers signed her shirt during their visit and also gave her and the other children some sweets.
Colchester United fans Guy and Maisy Winnard said they go to every home game so they were "very excited" to meet them.
Mr Winnard added: "It's really good of them to support local charities."
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Category: General Sports
