DERBY County Ladies' Football Club will brighten up Christmas for sick children in hospital this year by delivering presents.
The team will visit the children's ward at the Royal Derby Hospital just before the big day to bring a smile to their faces.
The team have bought the presents themselves and now the players and coaching staff are looking forward to handing them over.
It is the first time the club have done such a thing after their first-team coach came up with the idea.
They are following in the footsteps of the men's team who make annual visits to the hospital.
Club captain Sam Griffiths, 29, said players and staff will benefit from the visit in different ways.
She said: "I'm really looking forward to going along because I know the men do it a lot, so it's nice to play a part as well.
"I'll be shopping this week for a present that can hopefully make a little difference."
Sam, of South Normanton, has one son, Hudson, four.
She added: "It's a really good idea and hopefully it's something we can keep doing every year.
"Even if it makes just a small bit of difference to the children then it's been worth it."
The club will visit the children's ward on Sunday, December 22, where they will hand over their gifts.
The trip will also give the players and management a chance to talk to the children who might be spending Christmas Day in hospital.
The idea came from club first-team coach John Bennett, of Hemlock Way, Oakwood.
The 29-year-old wanted the girls to get involved after seeing how positive it had been for the men's team.
He said: "We want to play a bigger part in the community and this was a great way to do it.
"It will be a really good experience for the girls because they need to get used to community projects because, in the future, they will be playing a high level of football."
He said the girls would benefit from seeing less fortunate youngsters so they can get a sense of priorities.
Mr Bennett added: "Everybody is very competitive and wants to win but there are sometimes more important things in life than football.
"To meet the children will let them have a sense of perspective."
