CHRISTMAS came early for young patients in Swindon as a team of footballers dropped in to the Great Western Hospital with enough toys to fill a whole shop.

Armed with nearly 50 presents and games, not to forget enormous balloons, players from the Supermarine Youth Football Club visited the Children’s Unit yesterday and knocked on every door to ensure no child was left out during the festive season.

The members of the Under-7 and Under-11 teams collected the gifts as well as £150, which they donated to the ward, at their annual Christmas party at Stratton Community Centre last week.

Coach Matt Roberts said: “One of the mums, Laura Turner, approached us with the idea and we can’t thank her enough. It’s gone well. The parents have been very generous.”

Jayden Sadler, ten, enjoyed meeting each patient on the ward. “It made me happy to see their smiling faces,” he said.

“They were happy for something so small as getting a balloon.”