Players from Everton men’s senior team visited Claire House Children's Hospice and Zoe's Place Baby Hospice on Monday, spending time with patients, their families and staff.

Amadou Onana and Asmir Begovic headed to Claire House’s West Derby site where they were able to chat to the children, give out Everton gifts and join in family photos.

At the same time, Club captain Seamus Coleman and Academy graduate Tom Davies were guests at Zoe's Place, only a short distance away.

Claire House helps seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing a sense of normality back to their family life.

In addition to the specialist nursing and end of life care, the charity also supports the children’s parents at what is an incredibly tough time in their lives.

Begovic, sporting a blue Everton Christmas hat to mark the occasion, said: “It’s always a special experience. We’re in a very fortunate position in that we can come here and spread a bit of joy and see the kids and parents in what is a difficult time for them.

“If we can play our part in creating a positive experience for the children, their families and the staff and spread a bit of festive cheer then it’s something we do with great pleasure.

“When you come here and see the families, what they are going through and how strong and positive they are, it’s very humbling for us. It’s a great thing to do and it’s really good to see smiles on faces, especially the kids.”

Coleman and Davies were able to learn more about the support offered at Zoe's Place, while speaking to parents, who shared their stories.

Zoe's Place is the only hospice in the UK that caters specifically for babies. Staff provide palliative and respite services to support families with children aged between zero and five with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses.

Their facility boasts a kitchen, living room, light sensory room, garden and hydrotherapy room.

Coleman said: “For as long as I’ve been at Everton, visits like this have been a big part of what we do around Christmas time.

“Doing it online because of the COVID-19 pandemic was great because it needed to be done, but you don’t get that same emotion that you feel and connection that you can make when you’re actually with the people, so being here in person has made a massive difference.”

To learn more about Claire House, click here. Or for Zoe's Place, click here.