Seven Millwall players - including four Millwall Community Trust Ambassadors - visited Lewisham Hospital on Tuesday afternoon to spread festive joy ahead of the Christmas period.

Joe Bryan, Billy Mitchell, Kevin Nisbet, Matija Sarkic, Romain Esse, Aidomo Emakhu and Bartosz Bialkowski delivered gifts to patients and staff at the hospital, bringing smiles to people's faces as the big day nears.

Gifts donated included official club pennants, water bottles and Zampa soft toys - as well as the chance to take a photos and talk about all things Millwall, with one nurse even treating the players to a bespoke Millwall Christmas song!

Lions midfielder, Billy Mitchell said: "Christmas is about giving and spending time with loved ones and some people in hospital haven't got that opportunity at the minute.

"We thought we'd come down and try and raise some spirits, give a bit of Christmas cheer and speak to some of the children and adults alike, give out a few gifts and hopefully put some smiles on their faces."

Laura Crome, Matron for Children and Young People Services, added: "We would like to say our sincere thanks to Millwall Football Club for their visit and continued support to Lewisham Hospital. The team were generous with their time and gifts, and they posed for many photographs.

It was brilliant to see so many happy, smiling children, families, and staff. It was also a great opportunity for them to “kick” start our Children’s Christmas toy appeal."

With Christmas just around the corner, you can also bring a smile to the faces throughout the LGT wards by donating to the Christmas Toy Appeal.

The Trust Charity is inviting local communities to give a gift to our young patients at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital who are too ill to go home and spend Christmas with their families.  Click here to make a difference this Christmas!

The club would like to wish everyone at Lewisham Hospital a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.