YOUNGSTERS in hospital received a tonic from their footballing heroes yesterday.
Sunderland's first team squad took time out from training to visit children at the Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Led by manager Mick McCarthy, the players, including Argentinian favourite Julio Arca, goalkeeper Mart Poom and striker Marcus Stewart, handed out club goodie bags, selection boxes and signed autographs. They also had their pictures taken with the young patients.
Some of the children are in hospital for only a brief period but others will be there for Christmas.
Mr McCarthy said: "Being in hospital is never fun but it's even less so at Christmas time. The lads dropped in to have chat with the children and it was great that we were able to brighten up at least one day of their stay.''
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