CHILDREN at Basildon University Hospital were all smiles when kind-hearted teenagers from the Prince’s Trust visited them with sacks full of presents.

The teenagers, aged 16 to 19, first spent hours packing people’s shopping at Tesco in Pitsea to raise money to buy the presents.

They then took the gifts to the hospital, in fancy dress, where they spent two hours entertaining families in the Children’s Outpatient Department, before visiting patients on Wagtail and Puffin Children’s wards and A&E.

Jordan Tow, 17, who was dressed as a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtle, said: “We all love kids and it seemed the perfect idea coming here and spending some time with them.

“It’s been worth it seeing the kids’ faces light up when they see us.”

The Prince’s Trust scheme is a 12-week course designed to help teenagers learn more about working as a team. Working from Essex County Council’s Youth Office in Basildon, the 15 people on the course spend five days a week doing team-building exercises, working on community projects and studying.

Paul Edwards, team leader at the Prince’s Trust, said: “We try to boost their confidence, while giving them practical skills and qualifications in literacy and num- eracy.

“This project was their own initiative, they did the fundraising and contacted the hospital to arrange to come in and meet the young patients. They have done a brilliant job.”

Wendy Sawings, play specialist at the hospital, said the Prince’s Trust deserved a big thank you as all the patients enjoyed the surprise visit.

She added: “They put a lot of preparation into organising the day and it was lovely of them to want to do something to cheer the children up.”