Starlets deliver special gifts
Academy stars Ryan McLaughlin, Brad Smith and Jack Dunn played Santa as they delivered special prizes to children just in time for Christmas at Alder Hey Hospital.
The trio were joined by goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin and midfielder Yalany Baio as they presented 20 brand new Xbox One consoles each with a copy of FIFA 14, to Alder Hey Children's Hospital on behalf of the club's official charity, the Liverpool FC Foundation.
The players officially handed over the gaming kit to the hospital, where they were joined by a number of young patients in the Alder Hey's physiotherapy unit, who pitted their FIFA 14 skills against the rising stars.
The Liverpool FC Foundation donated the consoles and games as part of the work the Club has done this year with Xbox and with EA SPORTS, the club's official football video gaming partner.
Midfielder Jack Dunn commented on the donation, "As a club, we work closely with Alder Hey Children's Hospital, so it's fantastic that the Liverpool FC Foundation has been able to donate so many game consoles to the young patients."
U21s defender Brad Smith said: "For the kids that will have to spend Christmas at the hospital, hopefully all of the new games and consoles will provide a bit of fun for them over the festive period."
Irene Axon, senior community fundraiser at Alder Hey Children's Hospital commented, "This is a wonderful donation from the Liverpool FC Foundation at this time of year.
"We will be able to make a lot of wards and departments happy with this most generous gift. It's been a great surprise at the end of a wonderful year working with the club."