Bolton Wanderers and Mayor visit children's unit

The annual Christmas festive visits have taken place at the Royal Bolton Hospital's Children and Young Person's Unit.

CHRISTMAS came early for poorly children as Bolton Wanderers players and Father Christmas made a special visit to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Whites stars also visited patients at Bolton Hospice yesterday.

They brought bags full of presents and were joined at the hospital by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton, Cllr Noel Spencer and Alice Spencer, and the Bolton Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris.

Wanderers captain Kevin Davies said: "We have been visiting the children in hospital since I have been at the club. I have my own children and being in hospital is a difficult time for the kids and their parents.

"It is nice to see the kids and the staff - they do a great job. We hope the visits cheers the kids up and I hope they can get fixed up and be home in time for Christmas."

The Christmas wish of Wanderers season ticket holder Sam Doran, aged nine, from Hulton Lane, came true when his favourite player, Gary Cahill, visited him and signed the Whites' shirt he was wearing.

Sam, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, has been in hospital since Sunday. He will spend time in a Leeds hospital later this week before being allowed home for Christmas.

Sam spends two weeks in hospital every three months and always makes sure he brings his Bolton Wanderers pillow and duvet cover.

Sam said: "I was excited when Gary Cahill came in my room. He is really good.

It has cheered me up."

View a video of the event

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