OXFORD United’s players took time out of their busy training schedule to spread some Christmas cheer at the Oxford Children’s Hospital yesterday.

The entire squad made the trip to the hospital to give out donated gifts to sick children who face spending the festive season on the wards.

Club captain Curtis Nelson, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, was on crutches as he chatted with the children and their parents.

He said: “Hospital is never a great place to be over Christmas time but we wanted to do whatever we could to help.

“It is a bit upsetting, it’s never nice to meet kids who are ill but we’ve been able to put a smile on a few of their faces and hopefully that will make a difference.

“We will be thinking of them on Christmas day and wish them back to good health soon.”

The club's business development manager and former player, Peter Rhoades-Brown, said he still gets emotional despite having made regular Christmas visits to the hospital for the past 34 years.

The father-of-two said: “Footballers are put on a pedestal and it takes two hours out of the day and they enjoy making it a special time for the children.

“It’s an emotional occasion, particularly for some of the older players who have children of their own.

“We are a club that is at the heart of the community and this shows a small part of what we do.”

The hospital in Headington has been inundated with gifts this year.

RAF Benson sent Santa in a helicopter on Tuesday to deliver yet more presents.

For Erica Watson, the senior play specialist at the hospital, it shows the children ‘that people are thinking of them at Christmas time.’

She said: “We try to make it as happy as possible for them and their families.”

The visit was a treat for fans of the club.

Sebastian Doolan, a 23-month-old supporter, was looking forward to showing the presents and autographs to his grandad and uncle.

His dad John Doolan, said: “I think it is a fantastic gesture and really nice of them to come.

“Sebastian has been in here a lot recently with breathing difficulties but we are hoping he will be out before Christmas.

“We’ll take him to his first game when he is well enough.”

Josh Doran, 11, was wearing his black Oxford United away kit specially.

Mum Jane said the avid fan hadn’t been able to attend a game for a year because of his epileptic seizures but had been ‘incredibly excited’ to meet his heroes.