Captain Lewis Dunk holding a baby and posing for the camera with two older children, one wearing a football kit
George Carden
BBC News, Arundel
Three Brighton & Hove Albion footballers surprised families and staff at a children's hospice when they made a visit.
Lewis Dunk and Jason Steele, captain and goalkeeper of the men's team, and women's team midfielder Dejana Stefanovic, gave Christmas presents to the children at Chestnut Tree House in Arundel.
"It's been a really enjoyable experience," Dunk told BBC Radio Sussex, after he signed autographs and went on a tour of the hospice's facilities.
"It's got everything. It's great for the families to have access to this."
Captain Lewis Dunk, goalkeeper Jason Steele, and women's midfielder Dejana Stefanovic smile for the camera with two hospice staff wearing purple and pink scrubs under Christmas decorations from the ceiling and a Christmas tree to the side.
The three footballers chatted to staff and families, and visited the hospice's rooms, play areas and swimming pool. They also played video games with some of the children.
But Dunk added the children had delivered a serious message to the Seagull's players.
"Beat Palace on Sunday," he said, referring to Brighton's Premier League match against rivals Crystal Palace.
"That's all they kept saying!"
A group of adults and children, some sitting, some in wheelchairs, some standing, gather around a games console and TV. One child wearing a football kit is waving his arms in celebration. Christmas decorations can be seen on the ceiling and in the background.
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