BOLTON Wanderers will hope to net lots of funds for Derian House after selecting it as their designated national charity.

Manager Phil Parkinson, assistant manager Steve Parkin and players Mark Howard and Karl Henry joined staff for a tour round the Euxton-based children’s hospice on Monday afternoon.

The facility supports more than 300 families who have a child or young adult suffering from a life-shortening condition, along with bereavement support for a further 200 families in the North West. It needs to find £3.85million a year in donations to run at current levels.

Wanderers have had a long association with Derian House and will hold a designated fundraising day at the forthcoming home game against Cardiff City on December 23.

“It’s such an amazing, bright place,” said Phil, who was born in Chorley. “I was blown away by the work they do with the children and their families.

“I’m very proud the club have supported them for more than a decade now and I know we’ll be back again at Christmas but as they are our designated national charity this year it would be great if we could give them extra backing.”

Derian House will be celebrating its 25th anniversary next year and will also be supported by various other events organised by the club into 2018.

Goalkeeper Mark Howard said: “This place never fails to impress me.

“You always relate to your own children and what you’d be feel if you knew you had limited time left with your son or daughter and, of course, it’s hard.

"But to look at the support network the staff offer, the facilities they have got here, you cannot help but feel energised and want to help.”

Karl Henry, Wanderers’ recent midfield signing, made his first visit to the hospice.

“I have huge respect for the people who work here,” he said. “A few of us were welling-up a bit when we walked around and listened to some of the stories, it did strike a chord.

“It made me think about how fortunate I am. It’s easy to take things for granted, but there are people who are so reliant on the work they do. It has been a humbling experience.”