Owls players cheer patients at city's children's hospital

Sheffield Wednesday has had a long-running association with the Children's Hospital Charity and has organised a series of fundraisers for the cause.

This has included joining forces with arch-rivals Sheffield United to auction off the players' shirts worn during the Steel City derby in April this year.

A spokesman for the Children's Hospital Charity said: "In February 2009 Sheffield Wednesday donated the club's shirt sponsorship to the Children's Hospital. In the pioneering move, the club became the first in the Championship to donate their shirt sponsorship in this way."

Yesterday, the players gave out goody bags to the children, which included a toy and a chocolate selection box.

Owls captain Darren Purse said: "As an ambassador for the Children's Hospital and its charity I have been on several visits to meet patients and I am always touched by the character and bravery they show.

"It was great to get the rest of the team down for the Christmas visit and the see the youngsters laughing and joking with the myself and other members of the squad."