The Leeds Rhinos team swapped rugby balls for Santa sacks as they headed to the Leeds Children’s Hospital at Leeds General Infirmary for the team’s annual visit to meet youngsters in hospital over the Festive period.
Organised by the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, the annual event is always a highlight of the team's pre-season period and once again they did the club proud as they met with children and their parents and tried to bring a bit of light relief during a tough period for many.
Also present were staff members from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation charity, who have been working on a special project with the LGI paediatric intensive care unit.
The hospital has areas where the relatives of young patients can stay and the foundation has donated furniture for two newly-refurbished rooms.
Club legend Jamie Peacock unveiled a plaque that marked the official opening of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation family rooms.
Foundation community manager Leon Crick said: "We are delighted to be able to offer our support to the children's intensive care ward at the LGI with this project.
"We understand how difficult it is for families who have a sick child in hospital, and we know the fantastic work the hospital does to help keep the family close to their child, and we hope this donation will help to make what is obviously a tough time a little more bearable."
Leeds Rhinos Foundation Director of Operations Bob Bowman added, "I would like to thank the Leeds Children's Hospital for inviting us down again. The Foundation team did a fantastic job in preparing for the visit and the players are usual were fantastic ambassadors for our club and the City of Leeds. We would also like to say a special thank you to Fourways Coaches who took the team down to the hospital as part of the day.
"Your child being in hospital at any time is an incredible testing time but especially so at Christmas and it is great that we have been able to help out in some way to bring a bit of light into their lives, even if it was just for an brief time," added Bowman.
Neoma Jacobs, Play Leader at the Leeds Children's Hospital, said: "We're absolutely thrilled that the Rhinos have visited the Leeds Children's Hospital to deliver presents to the wards. It makes such a massive difference to our patients, some of whom are really sick. It has definitely brightened up a few days! We all think it's wonderful that the team have taken time out of their busy schedules to spend time with their young, and not so young, fans here at the hospital."