In the lead up to Christmas, Essendon’s players spread festive cheer to the ill and underprivileged yesterday.

Blockbuster stars Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard made a visit to a number of young children at the Royal Children’s Hospital yesterday afternoon.

Through Challenge, the pair took the time to make a private visit to the children in the lead up to Christmas.

Cale Hooker and Kyle Hardingham attended Essendon’s annual Christmas lunch at Windy Hill with members of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Coolibah Centre. Spreading joy with socially and financially disadvantaged members of the community, Hooker and Hardingham provided an insight in to the rigours of the pre-season thus far.

Hooker said Christmas was an important time to give back to the less fortunate.

“We know how lucky we are to be a part of the Essendon Football Club, so it was nice to be able to give back at a time like Christmas when many people aren’t able to celebrate like most of us do,” Hooker said.

“The Club does some terrific work in the community and Christmas is a great time to be thankful and reminded that there are people worse off.”