Boss Mick McCarthy and several members of the first-team squad visited local children’s hospices and hospital wards yesterday to hand out presents.
McCarthy, DJ Campbell, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Bradley Orr and Arran Lee-Barrett were at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH) in Ipswich, where they joined in a spot of face-painting, while Lee Martin, Andy Drury, Luke Chambers and Aaron Cresswell went to the West Suffolk Hospital Children’s Ward
Visits to the St Nicholas Hospice, St. Elizabeth Hospice, Colchester Hospital Children’s Ward and Ipswich Hospital Children’s Ward are planned for later in the week.
The players contributed around £2,000 for the presents with Town working with the East of England Co-Op to provide the gifts.
McCarthy told the club site: "I watched our lads and they were fantastic with the youngsters, chatting away and really interacting with them.
"At every club I’ve been working in the community has been important and it’s clear that is the philosophy here.”
EACH spokesperson Camilla Haycock said: "It’s a very busy time of the year and can also be a very difficult time of year for the families, so to have the players visiting is a massive boost for them.
"We had some children who came in especially to meet the players. They are Town fans so it was great for them to see the players and the manager.”
Photo: ITFC