WANDERERS’ players and staff have helped spread a bit of festive cheer with their annual Christmas visits.

Ian Evatt and his squad split into three groups on Tuesday to drop in on Bolton Royal Hospital, Bolton Hospice and Derian House, dishing out presents and meeting people on the wards.

Gethin Jones, Wanderers’ vice-captain, said the visits were an important part of the calendar for the club and its community programme.

“The community, the fans, they support us all the way through the season, so coming out here and doing just a little bit to make things a bit brighter is the least we can do,” he said.

“Christmas can be a very difficult time for some families, so as players it is important to give some support back. There are some kids in the hospital and hospices that won’t be able to spend time with their families at home, so coming here and giving a few little gifts out is just something we can do to show it really does mean a lot to us.”

Jones, Paris Maghoma, Randell Williams, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Joel Coleman and Josh Sheehan were at Bolton Royal, along with manager Ian Evatt and first team analyst Lewis Duckmanton.

The group toured some of the paediatric wards and handed out presents, staying to chat with parents, and even made their way out to Accident and Emergency, raising a few smiles for those who were waiting for treatment.

“You can always tell the Bolton fans,” Jones said. “Some of the kids are so young but you can see they recognise us when we walk in.

“It was lovely to walk round and talk to them, talk to the parents, take some pictures and give a few little cards out.

“Just that little smile makes it worth it because this is isn’t a nice time of year to be poorly or to be in hospital, so it was lovely to see everyone.”

Just as pleased to see the Wanderers were some of the staff at Bolton Royal, including a handful of lifelong supporters.

Jones, whose mum worked as a midwife for the NHS, was full of praise for the work they do at this time of year.

“The staff here are amazing,” he said. “They support the kids, the parents, the families who are going through such a difficult time, and they work so hard.

“We came here today and realised just how busy it is, and how many people they have to look after. It really is an incredible job they do.”