A man whose son is being cared for at St Elizabeth Hospice has said how much he enjoyed this week’s visit by footballers from Ipswich Town.

Neil MacDonald’s son Sam has a brain tumour and has been at the hospice, which helps people living with progressive illnesses, for just over four weeks.

And on Tuesday players from Ipswich Town Football Club visited the hospice’s premises in Ipswich to bring some extra festive cheer to its residents.

Mr MacDonald said Sam, who follows The Blues, really enjoyed meeting players Luke Hyam, Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith.

Mr MacDonald, 59, said: “He got a signed calendar and they gave him a lovely fleecy blanket to wear when he’s in his wheelchair.

“He had some old programmes too and they signed them as well.”

Mr MacDonald, who lives in Wenhaston, also paid tribute to his son’s thoughtfulness and courage in the face of his illness.

“He just seems to worry about other all the time.

“He doesn’t seem to complain and other people say the same thing to me,” said Mr MacDonald.

“His courage is incredible.

“He’s going to give an Ipswich Town shirt to his niece and they (the Ipswich Town players) all signed it.”

The trip to St Elizabeth Hospice was part of the traditional visits the ITFC players and management make to hospitals and hospices over the festive period.