A grassroots football club that is committed to serving its local community has completed its fifth annual trip to Royal Oldham Hospital to "brighten up" the lives of the youngsters this Christmas.

AFC Oldham, which works hard all year round to support the community through charitable efforts and local causes, said it visited Royal Oldham Hospital on Monday, December 19, with bags of goodies for the children.

For the past five years, the club has been visiting the children's ward at Easter and Christmas time to give out books, toys and selection boxes.

This year, AFC Oldham was joined by Barry Sherry, the principal director of Connexus Tuition in Royton, Chadderton and Shaw, who has sponsored the club's under-10s and under-11s junior teams.

Mr Sherry said: "It is such a privilege to be able to give a little something to hopefully brighten up the lives of the young patients, their carers and the wonderful staff who care and support them all.

"It further establishes why we are proud to be involved with AFC Oldham as they have the local community at the very heart of all that they do."

Meanwhile, Ross Elliott, one of the first-team managers who established Mental Health Football (MFH) Oldham at the club in 2019, added: "I’m really proud to help run a club that does so much for the local community."

Dale Harris, chairman of AFC Oldham, said: "Our club - huge thanks to Ross Elliott for organising this.

"Such a community-centric club."