Ipswich Town stars visit EACH and St Elizabeth Hospices

Captain Sam Morsy, Christian Walton, Leif Davis, Luke Woolfenden, Harry Clarke and Dominic Ball, along with women's players Sophie Peskett and Kyra Robertson visited East Anglia's Children's Hospice's The Treehouse in Ipswich. 

As well as handing out presents, signing autographs and posing for photos, they spent time chatting with the young people receiving care and their families.

Liam Baldry meeting members of the Town first team (Image: EACH)

Six-year-old Emmie Gizatullin and brother Adam meet Town Womens' Sophie Peskett (right) and Kyra Robertson (left) (Image: EACH)

Twelve families were there, amongst those was mum Hannah Gizatullin, who brought daughter Emmie, six and son Adam, 15.

Emmie has a rare disorder of bone growth called Kniest Dysplasia.

Hannah said: "It was a fantastic afternoon.

A group picture with the families and Town players (Image: EACH)

Caiden Duncan meets Sam Morsy (Image: EACH)

"The players were so friendly and easy to talk to.

"They were genuinely interested in Emmie. They weren't just going through the motions or doing it because they had to.

"They were doing it because they cared."

Bobby Bolton and his family meet Dom Ball (Image: EACH)

Marshall Smith meets Luke Wolfenden (Image: EACH)

Another mum, Jess Warburg, brought her three-year-old Cleo along, who despite not growing for 18 months and undergoing numerous tests, does not have a condition or diagnosis yet.

She said: "They were genuinely intrigued and had lots of time for everyone.

"It was lovely to watch  them forming bonds with the kids."

Town left-back Leif Davis, said: "I always enjoy doing things like this and jump at any opportunity to get out in the community, especially at this time of year.

Three-year-old Cleo Warburg and her family meet Sam Morsy (Image: EACH)

Ava Streatfield and her family meet Christian Walton (Image: EACH)

Thank you to the @IpswichTown players who visited our staff and patients at the hospice in Ipswich today.

The visit was full of smiles and meant so much to us all. Best of luck for the rest of the season! pic.twitter.com/F5zFmdwq1I

— stelizabethhosp (@StElizabethHosp) December 19, 2023

"People tell us we've made their day, but the truth is, they've made ours too."

Town Women and Men's stars including Wes Burns and George Hirst also visited St Elizabeth Hospices to spread Christmas cheer.

On Wednesday, members of the squad and manager Kieran McKenna went to Ipswich Hospital to see children and families there.

A visit to Ipswich Hospital today. 🎄💙#itfc pic.twitter.com/irpE3VqBLv

— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) December 20, 2023

Gracie Baldry and her family meet Harry Clarke (Image: EACH)