The Owls stars signed autographs and dished out selection boxes and gifts to dozens of patients recovering from illnesses and operations.

Touring the wards, they posed for photos and chatted to patients, parents and staff, bringing with them a welcome dose of festive cheer.

Darren Maidens, aged 11, was pleased to meet the players and manager Brian Laws when they dropped in for a bedside visit – even though he's actually a Blades fan!

Darren, from Doncaster, who has a long term health condition, had been in hospital since Monday.

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He was disappointed not to have been well enough to go home the previous day but brightened up when told the players were coming in to visit.

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Earlier in the day he'd also met Sheffield Steelers ice hockey players and had collected a variety of autographs from the sports stars.

"It's the best day since I've been in hospital," said Darren. "I'm feeling very happy now."

Nine-year-old Callum McMillan, from Hillsborough – a former Owls mascot – was also over the moon to meet his heroes and be given a cuddly toy.

Callum, who has a genetic condition so rare it does not have a name, was in hospital being treated for pneumonia, and met the players with his mum, Jayne.

Also enjoying the visit was Edward Hall, 16, from Walkley, who is getting over an ankle operation.

And Liam Kime, 14, from Manor, didn't mind being distracted from waiting for an operation after breaking his hand.

Liam, a striker for the Throstles, for whom he has scored 21 goals this season, said: "It's good they've come in to see us."

Mum Nannette added: "He was getting worried about the operation and they've taken his mind off it."

For the football players the visit was a humbling experience.

Club captain Lee Bullen was on his fourth Christmas visit to the hospital and has huge admiration for the courage of the kids and parents.

The dad-of-two said it was humbling to see the youngsters and to witness their pleasure in receiving a visit or a gift.

Manager Brian Laws said the club and its players was always pleased to support the Children's Hospital.

"It's never hard to get volunteers to come in," he said.

"Footballers sometimes have a bad image because one or two don't treat people right. A lot have privileged lives and it is a valuable lesson to come here and to give something back."

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