Former England football captain John Terry swapped Wembley for Hampton children's hospice Shooting Star House last week.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Defensive duties: John Terry watches one child's form

The Chelsea player visited staff and families at Shooting Star Chase on June 25 with his wife Toni, where he signed autographs and memorabilia.

Terry even found time for a kick-about in the garden with the children abd had a tour of the hospice, which provides for 650 children with life-limiting conditions.

He said: "It was great visiting Shooting Star Chase with Toni - we were truly bowled over by the amazing facilities at the hospice and the huge difference the nurses and care staff make to the lives of the children they look after.

"The positivity of the families we spoke to at the hospice, despite going through every parent’s worst nightmare, left a lasting impression on us and the children were all an inspiration.

"It was an honour to visit the charity and witness first-hand the one-of-a-kind work they do for sick children in this area."

He also designed his own version of Shooting Star Chase's fingerprint characters, the Friendlies, which included a captain's arm band and football boots.

Karen Sugarman, director of fundraising at the charity, said: "We were extremely privileged to welcome John Terry to Shooting Star Chase and thank him so much for taking the time to visit and put on a smile on the faces of the children we care for.

"They were over the moon to meet such a huge football star, particularly the avid Chelsea fans among them.

"Days at our hospices can be grey and dark in more ways than one, but today was a sunny occasion and meant so much to the families who go through an indescribably difficult time.

"It was great to be able to tell John and Toni all about the work we do for children with life-limiting conditions and we hope to see them again soon."