ENGLAND and Liverpool football star Steven Gerrard took time out from his Premier League duties to make Children’s Hospice Week extra special for children and families using Claire House Children’s Hospice.

Steven was visiting Claire House as part of the Team England Footballers Charity initiative, working with Children’s Hospices UK to raise awareness of vital services offered to children not expected to reach adulthood and their families across the UK.

His visit to the Wirral facility, which also covers Cheshire, included a tour of the children’s hospice where he met with children, parents and care staff.

Steven, himself a 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 care for.”

Janet Ratcliffe, head of appeals, 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 talk to Steven about our Hospice to Home service.”