Nottingham Forest players Matty Cash and Tendayi Darikwa visit the Children's Bereavement Centre, Newark

The faces of children enduring great torment in their young lives were lit up when they unexpectedly met some of their footballing heroes.

Professional football gave back to some of its fans when players from Nottingham Forest gave gifts to children affected by the loss or illness of a loved one.

Midfielder Matty Cash and right back Tendayi Darikwa played Father Christmas for some of those supported by the Children’s Bereavement Centre, Newark.

Marie Shaw, mum to Carter, 5, and Leon, 10, said: “The two players they wanted to meet were the ones in that room.

“I have kept this a secret from them for a month.

“We had some very bad news that my partner only has nine months to live.

“What we want to create now is memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

“Both boys are Forest-obsessed.

“Carter idolises Matty Cash. I’ve lost count of the amount of times we have had to watch the Newcastle goal. I could recite the commentary for you.

“Leon wants to be a goalkeeper just like Costel Pantilimon.

“We were last at Forest on Saturday (the home match to Preston on December 8 The Reds lost 1-0).

“I don’t care that we lost.

“When the players are booed from the terraces, the crowd don’t see or experience things like we have just done.

“Those players have just made our Christmas.”

Right-back Tendayi said: “It was nice to to be able to put a smile on a child’s face, particularly at this time of year.

“They and their parents are going through a tough time in their lives.”

Maria’s partner, Sean Quinn, father to Leon and an initially-shy Carter, who got to have a hug with his hero, had just one message to the players.

“If you can do just one thing for a dying man, smash Derby on Monday,” he said.

A Forest press officer said: “From our perspective, everyone at Nottingham Forest is is aware of the role that we play within our community.

“When you hear someone say something like that, we are under no illusion just what this club means to people.”

As well as presents for the children of shirts and tablets, the bereavement centre was presented with laptops.

“We gave you a Christmas list and I think you have provided us with everything on it,” said Kate Baxter, a director at the bereavement centre.

“Christmas is supposed to be a happy time, but for many of the families that we support, it is a time when they feel their loss most keenly.

“I was quite choked to see the reaction on these children’s faces.”