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Newcastle players visit the RVI
Newcastle United's players helped to spread some festive cheer on Tuesday during their annual pre-Christmas visit to children's wards across the region's major hospitals.
For the first time, the Magpies' first and under-23 squads were joined on their visit by the Newcastle United Women's team following their relaunch in the summer.
Together, the players offered gifts, signed autographs, posed for photos and chatted with children, families and staff who face spending Christmas in hospital.
Club photographer Serena Taylor accompanied some of the players on a trip to the Great North Children's Hospital at the RVI, capturing these touching photographs for nufc.co.uk:
The players arrive at the RVI in Newcastle
Chancel Mbemba and Rolando Aarons visit their first ward
Mikel Merino signs a football for a poorly youngster
The players assemble in the corridor to hand out gifts
All smiles for Henri Saivet and Massadio Haïdara
Newcastle United Foundation's Steve Mack was on hand to help direct the players
Newcastle United Women's and U23 teams were also were in attendance, seen here with Jacob Murphy and Dwight Gayle
United States international DeAndre Yedlin waits to hand out gifts
The staff at the Great North Children's Hospital take care to make the wards feel festive over the Christmas period
Chancel Mbemba spots a decorative penguin during his visit
Tom Heardman and Rolando Aarons pop in to say hello
Javier Manquillo and Steph Lyons team up
Mikel Merino was joined by Amy Hargrave to hand over a signed mini football
A lovely photograph of U23s forward Luke Charman holding a young patient
The players converge for a group photo with young fans
Chancel Mbemba, Rolando Aarons and Tom Heardman huddle up for a photo
The players move on to another ward as Chancel Mbemba pushes the present trolly
Chancel and his teammates visited wards 2b, 11, 12 and 14
Big smiles from Henri Saivet and Massadio Haïdara
Players visit a baby born just two weeks ago
Goalkeeper Rob Elliot joins this little star for a kick-about
Elliot gave the youngster a signed football before getting in his teammates for a photo
Captain Jamaal Lascelles hands a gift to a parent at the Great North Children's Hospital
The players pose for a photo
This young fan was determined to show his colours as the players popped in
Henri and Massadio sit amongst the festive decorations of the children's ward
Henri Saivet turns cameraman to capture another special moment
Joselu hands over gifts
Massadio Haïdara's turn with the camera
Isaac Hayden (back right) joined his teammates for a picture with a young fan
A visit from the players and an early Christmas present brings a smile to a young fan
The players round off their visit by popping in to see two big United fans
To download a free version of any of the above photos, please go to: nufc.photos/p526527204.