Youngsters at Tayside Children’s Hospital were given a festive boost when Dundee United players visited to hand out presents.
Stars including club captain Willo Flood, striker Scott McDonald and midfielder Fraser Fyvie were on hand to chat to the kids, sign autographs and pose for photographs at the Ninewells unit.
Suzie Byer, senior charge nurse at the paediatric unit, said the youngsters always looked forward to the annual visit.
She said: “The presents they have brought are just brilliant and they’ve got ones for every age.
“It really does give the kids a big boost when they arrive and creates a good festive atmosphere.
“As soon as the date is announced, the kids are hoping they are in hospital that day!
“It doesn’t matter what team you support, it’s exciting for everyone.”
It is always our pleasure to do this ? https://t.co/MqSfOoSTvc
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) December 12, 2017
Barry Roper, who was taking his eight-year-old son Lewis in for a check-up, said the arrival of the players was a complete shock.
He said: “We didn’t know anything about it until they all came in.
“Lewis is a big fan. We try and go to the games whenever we can.
“It’s been a great surprise.”
Nine-year-old Toni Lorimer, a school pupil at St Francis said it was “very cool” to meet her idols.
She said: “I am a big fan of Dundee United so it’s very cool. The players gave me an electric scooter.”
The club are also set to host a foodbank collection two days ahead of Christmas at their match versus Livingston on Saturday December 23.
The campaign has already attracted massive support and is carried by both clubs and their respective community trusts, as well as by ArabTRUST, ULT, Taught by Muhammad and Dundee Foodbank.
Dundee United Club Captain Willo Flood said: “Nobody should have to go hungry in a country like this and it is shocking how many people have no other choice but to go to a foodbank, especially this Christmas.
“I would ask everybody to get behind this appeal to help the most vulnerable in our society.”
