LEYTON orient players met children at a local hospice as part of a new partnership between the Football League and a national charity.

Dean Cox and Jimmy Smith were joined by club mascot, Theo the Wyvern, at the Haven House Hospice in Woodford Green.

The League One stars were there as part of a new partnership between the League and national charity Help the Hospices.

They were shown around Haven House, which provides care for children with life-limiting and terminal illnesses, and met some of the children.

Orient midfielder, Cox said: “Having never visited a hospice before I wasn’t sure what to expect but Haven House really is like a home from home.

“It’s great that we as footballers are able to help in any way that we can and I look forward to meeting more of the Haven House children at our matches over the coming months.”

The services that Haven House provides are free for everyone who needs them, but it costs £2.1 million per year to run the hospice.

Leyton Orient will raise vital funds and awareness for the hospice by organising collections and raffles at matches during the season.

Click here to follow the Wanstead & Woodford Guardian on Twitter