Stevenage footballers give out presents at hospice

Image caption, Stevenage footballers visited Garden House Hospice in Letchworth

Stevenage Football Club players gave out Christmas presents and helped raised money when they visited a local hospice.

After they met patients, they also took part in a question-and-answer session at Garden House Hospice in Letchworth.

"They do fantastic work here," said club captain Carl Piergianni.

鈥楾o see the level of care people receive towards the end of their life is very humbling."

Image caption, Stevenage footballers took part in a Q&A at Garden House Hospice

Defender Dan Butler added: "I didn鈥檛 realise just how much work they [staff] do. It shocked me.

He added: "I鈥檇 want it for older members of my family. The funding is so important, people need this to enjoy the end of their lives."

Several families attended the event and met the players.

Derek Underwood, whose father was a former patient at the hospice, said: "It means a lot that they鈥檝e come.

"The staff here at the hospice do a wonderful job. It鈥檚 like a second home for families."