Nottinghamshire captain Chris Read visited the children’s wards at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre to hand out presents donated by official team sponsors PKF.

Fast bowler Luke Fletcher and new signing Harry Gurney joined Read on the tour of the wards which has become an annual tradition since being introduced in 2009.

“It’s a humbling experience but one that you can gain great pleasure from by seeing the smiles on the kids faces at a time of great difficulty,” said Read.

“The children and all of the medical and support staff that we met were very welcoming and we hope that our gifts give them some comfort.”

PKF have sponsored Nottinghamshire since 2001 and have always maintained a commitment to support the club’s work in local communities.

“We take great pride in supporting the professional team but the appeal of the partnership is further enhanced by our association with the efforts that take place off the field,” said PKF Partner Paul Ellis.

“A proportion of our sponsorship input is set aside for these programmes and it is pleasing that the players can give presents to children who have to spend Christmas in a hospital.”