Manager Mick McCarthy says the traditional Christmas hospital and hospice visits which he and his players began earlier in the week week are “humbling”. McCarthy joined David McGoldrick, Jonny Parr, Sean St Ledger, Christophe Berra and Noel Hunt at East Anglia's Children’s Hospice on Monday

“Very much so, I was at EACH at the beginning of the week with five of the lads,” McCarthy said.

“It really is humbling. We do have pretty privileged lives, most people would say very privileged lives.

“That’s not to say they know what footballers go through because we all have our own things as well, our own private lives, but it’s nice when we can go and you can see the pleasure it gives to some of people, the Ipswich fans certainly.

“It was interesting that somebody at the hospital pointed out to me that we’re talking about children who have life-threatening illnesses and she said it creates memories, which I thought was a nice way of putting it.

“It might even be years after the child has gone, they might see the Ipswich Town badge or see one of the players and it might still give them back that happy memory that they spent with that child and the lads that day.

“It’s interesting to hear from somebody else how we maybe do have a small effect, putting a smile on somebody’s face for a day. It’s great. It’s nice that we can do it.”

He says the children gave him their typically honest thoughts about Town: “You always get that from kids, don’t you? What do they say, children and drunks always tell the truth!

“I met one young girl, Alya, we were painting little plaster of Paris things. And by the way we were all concentrating, trying hard to do our best. I think that’s when [it shows] you’re competitive, when you are at whatever you’re doing.

“She’s an Ipswich fan so I signed it ‘My number one’ with a kiss on it and straight away she turned her Rudolf’s head around and signed it ‘To Mick, Alya’, so we’ve now exchanged gifts. I hope it brings me a bit of luck. It was lovely.”

Photo: Action Images

franco added 06:39 - Dec 12 What a lovely story to wake up to this morning , thank you mick and the lads 😄
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docsavage52 added 06:50 - Dec 12 Great to see well done. Lets hope we all have a good Christmas period. Heart warming.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 06:55 - Dec 12 Brilliant, nice to see :)
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Tufty added 06:58 - Dec 12 Well done Lads no matter how the rest of the season goes you should remember the happiness you have given to those children and take inspiration from it. Bless you all
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skinnyman27 added 08:00 - Dec 12 legends!!! these visits may not seem too much of a big deal, but they are giving less fortunate children an amazing experience that they will never ever forget, bought a tear to my eye when i read this. now give these children another present with a win against bolton. coyb!!!!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 08:54 - Dec 12 Certainly if I was laid up in hospital and Mick and the boys popped their head round the door I would be feeling somewhat better, especilally this time of year
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Paulblue62 added 09:45 - Dec 12 Glad the boys popped down to see the kids. As said before, heart warming to see the little ones faces light up.
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ManLikeRob added 10:57 - Dec 12 Great to hear that the players are being positive with their careers! Respect Paulblue62!
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