Players' goal is to cheer up ill kids (with pictures)

ASTHMA patient Paul Adeyemo has spent his life going in and out of hospital but was overjoyed to be there yesterday, because he met his Derby County heroes.

The 11-year-old was one of a host of patients at Derbyshire Children's Hospital lucky enough to meet the Rams stars when they made their annual Christmas visit to the wards.

what a thrill: Paul Adeyemo, 11, meets Rams centre half Shaun Barker, one of the many soccer stars visiting the Derbyshire Children's Hospital to hand out presents. Top right: Stephen Bywater with nurses Debbie Reynolds, Carol Shorthouse, Gee Kaur, Beth Harvey, Fiona Mansey and Pauline Fretwell. Middle: Joseph Wheatley, 12, with Paul Dickov, Kris Commons and keeper Stephen. Right: Stephen Bywater with William Burton, 10, and Joseph Burton, 13.

Paul, of Alvaston, was diagnosed with asthma as a baby and in June this year his condition became so bad that he had to spend a day-and-a-half in intensive care because he was struggling to breathe.

Now the Oakwood Junior School pupil has been back in hospital but is hoping to go home to his family before Christmas.

In the meantime he has had the chance to collect signatures from some of his favourite players, including Shaun Barker, who chatted to Paul.

Paul said: "I had just finished breakfast and was on my way to do a quiz when I found out that the players were going to come. The hospital staff told us out of the blue. I was overjoyed, I couldn't believe it."

Centre half Shaun Barker said he and the other players went to various events throughout the year but the hospital visit was his personal favourite. He said: "It's the most enjoyable one, the most rewarding. We like to make the effort and all the boys from the club come along."

Chrissy Freemantle, hospital play specialist, said the visit was always a huge hit with both children and their parents.

She said: "They absolutely love it, it always brings a big smile to their faces.

"I think they just feel extra-special. They're in here on their own and the blessing is that the Derby County players visit them.

"They get excited about it and, to be honest, so do a lot of the mums and dads."

Rams star Lee Croft said: "It doesn't take a lot of effort for us to come down here but the kids appreciate it and it makes a big difference to them."

And player DJ Campbell said that, as a father, he was particularly keen to visit the hospital.

He said: "I've got kids myself and it's good for us as footballers and role models to visit the wards."

There was also a cheque presentation of £40,000 to the hospital's Teen Pride appeal.

As reported in yesterday's Derby Telegraph, the appeal has been successfully concluded after more than a year of fund-raising on behalf of the hospital and Derby County.

The cash will be spent on creating dedicated teenage areas within the hospital.