PLAYERS at Bolton Wanderers have dug deep to help spread some festive cheer to those less fortunate this Christmas.

A dressing room whip-round helped to buy hundreds of presents, for fans young and old, which were distributed yesterday at the Royal Bolton Hospital’s children’s ward, Bolton Hospice and Derian House.

Phil Parkinson’s squad spilt into three groups to hand out the gifts, on a day defender David Wheater says is one of the most rewarding of the year.

“I’ve done quite a few of these now and it’s always the one you look forward to the most,” he said. “To be able to put some smiles of the kids’ faces at this time of year, when it must be horrible to be in hospital, it means a lot.

“We all put in a bit to buy the presents but it’s the least we can do.”

Team-mate Andy Taylor was also thrilled to see so many Wanderers fans on the ward.

“It’s lovely to hand presents out to any young people to try and cheer them up but we’ve bumped into quite a few Bolton fans, and it’s extra special for us to be able to help them.”

Season ticket holder Lucas Raper, aged 13, from Chorley New Road, was in to see if his appendix needed to be removed. He got to meet his favourite player Zach Clough.

Jason Rowe, from Farnworth, was on the ward to have a cyst removed but a visit from the Wanderers players helped cheer him up.

“His dad is a massive Bolton fan and he’ll be gutted he missed them,” said his mum, Jenny. “It was lovely to see the players – he can’t want to get back to school and tell them.”

Amelia Horrocks needed to have some orthodontic work done but still managed to smile for the photos.

“My uncle Stuart is a huge Bolton fan and he’ll be really jealous,” said the 15-year-old, from Heaton.

Karen Hodson, one of the play workers on the ward, said the mood had been lifted on the ward when news of the Wanderers squad’s visit spread.

“It was really miserable this morning but some of their favourite players have been here today, it was lovely. The children have been waiting all day.

“We really do appreciate the players coming round at this time of year – it’s brilliant.”

Wanderers Community Trust ambassador Tony Kelly helped give out the presents and couldn’t resist getting involved in the banter.

“It’s sad kids being in hospital at this time of year – hopefully they’ll be home by Christmas,” he said. “Fans maybe don’t realise all these gifts are bought with their money and it shows you this club is the heart of the town.

“We met Lucas, a season ticket holder, and me and Zach got round him before David Wheater came in and told him to tell David Wheater he was rubbish. You should have seen his face!

“The lads are in great spirits at the moment and it’s a happy place to be.”