ENGLAND and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard took time out from his Premier League duties to visit Claire House as part of children’s Hospice Week.

He met children, parents and care staff when he dropped in as part the Team England Footballers Charity initiative, which works with hospices to raise awareness of vital services offered to those not expected to reach adulthood and their families across the UK.

The father-of-two said: “Claire House is such a bright, cheerful place and I have enjoyed meeting all the children and their families.

“The care and support provided by Claire House and the other children’s hospices across the country to children who are not expected to reach adulthood is invaluable. You can really see the difference children’s hospices make to the children and families they cares for.”

Janet Ratcliffe, head of appeals at the Clatterbridge-based hospice said: “It’s been a great opportunity for some of our children to meet their local hero, Steven Gerrard and for us to have the chance to show him around the hospice and to talk to Steven about our Hospice to Home service, which we have recently expanded in Liverpool with the opening of a new office.”

Talking about the tie up with the Team England Footballers charity, Barbara Gelb, chief executive of Children’s Hospices UK, said: “Our partnership with the team is about much more than raising funds.

“Through this relationship we are able to raise awareness of the vital and unique work that children’s hospice services do caring and supporting children who may not reach adulthood.

"It also gives a huge boost to children and families to have this connection with their heroes - that in itself is priceless!”

Following a decision by the England football team to set up their own charitable trust the squad chose to work with Children’s Hospices UK to support the UK's network of children's hospice services and the children and families they care for. It now raises funds for the 41 children’s hospice across the country.

England defender John Terry said: “It was a collective decision by the squad to set up our own Team England Footballers Charity to enable us to both donate our England match fees and dedicate time to chosen charity partners, including Children’s Hospices UK, to help support the 41 children’s hospice’s across the country that provide vital services to thousands of life-limited children and their families.”