FOOTBALL legend Tony Cottee visited children at Southend Hospital.

The ex-West Ham player visited Neptune ward to deliver a parcel for the wards arts and crafts and sensory trolleys provided by the national children’s charity Clowns in the Sky.

Mr Cottee, patron of the charity, made the visit with the charity’s development officer Donna Byrne and made young James Hodge, who had a broken arm, very happy.

The charity is dedicated to the welfare of children with brain tumours.

Clowns in the Sky provide arts and crafts trolleys and portable sensory trolleys to hospitals across England.

The trolleys are designed to offer stimulation and fun activities during times when children maybe in isolation, or are unable to visit the playroom, with the sensory items proving a very popular distraction when children are undergoing tests and treatment.

Ms Byrne, said “I would really like to thank Tony for the support he gives us year after year.

The hospital visits he does really do make a difference.

“James happened to be a Manchester United fan, but he was eager to tell Tony that his uncle Chris was a Hammers fan.

“James and his mum Lorraine told him about the junior team Rayleigh Boys that he plays for, and his progress.

“The trolleys are fabulous resources and takes the playroom to the child, and are accessible at anytime.

“These trolleys aim to make children’s stays in hospital more pleasant one with the overall aim to put a smile on the face of any child suffering with this awful condition.”

Clowns in the Sky had been funded by the National Lottery, through the Big Lottery Fund, but as this funding ceased in December 2012 it now relies heavily on support from individuals and community groups to raise funds to re-stocks the trolleys, pay children’s entertainers to visit hospitals, and to support parents with small grants.

For more information about the charity, visit clownsinthe sky.org