POORLY children got a shock when Swindon Town ace Paul Mullin led teammates through the hospital.

Five Robins players visited GWH’s children’s unit yesterday, handing out Christmas teddies that dwarfed the ward’s tiniest patients.

Children sat wide-eyed as the players gave a range of gifts that included Swindon Town baby outfits, teddies and Peppa Pig puzzles.

For other kids it proved just a little too much. After giggling for the players, two-year-old Harry began to sob. Mum Stephanie Blake, 29, said: “He’s just about to start football classes.” Turning to Harry, she smiled: “You love playing it in mum’s house.”

Baby Lawson, who was attached to a ventilator, was left unfazed by the attention. Dad Mark McLean, 40, a Sheffield Wednesday fan, said: “He’s been to London and back again. It’s only a cold, but when you’re only two weeks old you’re going to suffer.”

Bradley Doxford, 11, from Devizes, hopes to be a professional footballer – with trials already booked in for Reading Town.

Woozy from an appendicitis operation, Bradley said he liked how football required “a lot of skill”: “You have to be clever, you have to be able to read the game.”

Fellow would-be pro footballer Henry Butterworth, also of Devizes, said of meeting the Swindon Town boys: “It was cool – it’s nice to see them.” Henry, who currently plays with Swindon Elite, will celebrate his 15th birthday on Wednesday.

The Swindon Town boys said they had enjoyed their hospital trip.

Midfielder Amine Linganzi told the Adver: “You realise there’s more than football. We’re happy to be here with the boys and see all those smiles. That refreshes our hearts.”

The dad, whose children will spend Christmas at home in France, said his four-year-old son was hoping for a motorbike for Christmas.

“It’s electric – so there’s no pressure or nothing,” he laughed.

The Town lads, who have suffered a string of defeats in recent weekends, didn’t escape the afternoon completely without injury.

One visitor joked: “Are we expecting good results over the Christmas period? You’d better.”

Theresa Wyatt, play specialist on the GWH children’s unit, said the annual visit from Swindon Town players was something to look forward to for those on the ward.

“The kids and the staff absolutely love it,” said the NHS specialist of 17 years.

“For the kids, they’re in hospital, it’s not a nice environment. The footballers’ visit just lifts their spirits for the day and puts a smile on their faces.

“If the children are happy it makes everything less stressful.”