The Everton Men’s Senior Team visited Alder Hey on Wednesday to spread some festive cheer.
The Blues’ annual Christmas tradition continued this year, as the full squad made the trip to the hospital to bring joy and encouragement to children, young people and their families.
Led by manager David Moyes, the players spent a heart-warming afternoon chatting with children, meeting parents and staff.
The squad also joined in board games, posed for photos, and even took part in lively activities with the young people, such as mini-football and basketball.
Everton defender Michael Keane said: “It’s my eighth or ninth time of visiting Alder Hey at Christmas time now and it’s always something we look forward to as a squad.
These families have had a lot of really tough times, especially the kids, and you always come away having been told what a difference it makes to them.”
“One kid just said to me, ‘This is better than Christmas Day!’ so anything you can do like this as a footballer, it’s very special and important, and we’re happy to be here to see everyone.
“The kids are obviously excited but it’s also important that we get to speak with the parents, who will have had difficult years and may even be here in the hospital with their little ones for Christmas. And the staff, too, who do incredible things every day.”
Alder Hey cares for more than 450,000 children each year and has forged strong links with the Club’s official charity, Everton in the Community, which runs activities to support their work.
