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Chelsea Football Club captain John Terry visited a leading hospice last week to speak with families, sign autographs and even take part in a kick-about with children.

Shooting Star Chase, based in Addlestone, welcomed the football star and his wife, Toni, to its Hampton site on Thursday last week.

The pair were given a tour of the hospice and heard how it supports 650 children with life-limiting conditions.

Mr Terry, who lives near Chelsea’s Stoke D’Abernon training ground, also designed his own version of the hospice’s fingerprint characters, The Friendlies, which included a captain’s armband and football boots.

(Image: TMS)

Afterwards, he said it was ‘great’ to visit the site with his wife, adding: “We were truly bowled over by the amazing facilities at the hospice and the huge difference the nurses and care staff make to the lives of the children they look after.

“The positivity of the families we spoke to, despite going through every parent’s worst nightmare, left a lasting impression on us and the children were all an inspiration.

“It was an honour to visit the charity and witness first-hand the one-of-a-kind work they do for sick children in this area.”

(Image: TMS)

Karen Sugarman, director of fundraising at Shooting Star CHASE, said the hospice was ‘extremely privileged’ to welcome Mr Terry and his wife.

“We thank him so much for taking the time to visit and put on a smile on the faces of the children we care for,” she said.

“They were over the moon to meet such a huge footballing star, particularly the avid Chelsea fans among them.

"Days at our hospices can be grey and dark in more ways than one, but today was a sunny occasion and meant so much to the families who go through an indescribably difficult time.

“It was great to be able to tell John and Toni about the work we do for children with life-limiting conditions and we hope to see them again.”