KEEN Oxford United fan Jason Fryett praised his heroes for dropping in to see sick children at the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Laden with gifts, the full first team squad spent a morning at the Oxford Children’s hospital (Chox) on Monday, visiting patients including Mr Fryett’s two-year-old daughter Mia.

The toddler has spent most of her short life at the hospital, where she receives treatment for a number of different conditions, including fluid on the brain and bone disease.

Players Ben Purkiss, Stevie Kinniburgh, Simon Eastwood, and Jake Wright were among those who swung by Mia’s room in Tom’s Ward to meet the little girl, who was wearing her favourite Oxford United outfit.

Mr Fryett, 38, from Berinsfield, said he had been a U’s fan for as long as he can remember.

He said: “It’s great to finally meet them.

“I know they come up here every year, but despite Mia being in and out of the hospital since she was born, we always seem to miss them.

“We’ve timed this trip perfectly though.

“I think it is fantastic that they make the effort to come up here and meet the kids and parents.

“It nice to see a local club take the time to support a local cause.”

The team brought two sacks full to the brim with toys, colouring books and crayons, many of which United fans had donated ahead of the annual trip to the hospital.

Club spokesman Chris Williams said the players also had a whip round so they could also buy the children DVDs.

Six-year-old Callum Moriarty, from Banbury, said he was not sure which football team he was going to support when he grew up.

But a visit from Simon Eastwood pictured with him left, with a toy car from the Back to the Future film as a present helped make up the youngster’s mind.

Callum, who suffers with a bladder condition, said: “I like my car very much.

“I am going to support Oxford United from now on.”

Defender Jake Wright said he had enjoyed the visit.

He said: “It was great to meet the youngsters, but also humbling to meet their parents as well.

“We are very fortunate to have our health and to do a job we love doing, but when you meet people who have been staying with their kids in hospital for the last three weeks you realise just how lucky you are.

“Some of the stories were very moving and if us visiting has raised a few smiles then that is great.

“All of the lads were more than happy to come along and hopefully everyone we met will be home in time for Christmas.”

Community officer Peter Rhoades-Brown added: “We work alongside the children’s hospital and it is always a pleasure to visit.

“The players were brilliant, listening to the stories from the kids and joining in with everything.

“They stayed longer than planned and I think everyone enjoyed it.

“We want to thank the fans for the presents, they were very well received and it’s great when the whole club are involved in something like this.”