Manager Phil Parkinson, his assistant Steve Parkin and first teamers Karl Henry and Mark Howard paid a special visit to Derian House Children's Hospice on Monday afternoon in line with the organisation being named as the club's National Charity of the Year for 2017/18.
The quartet made the short journey to the hospice, located in Euxton near Chorley, for a special event to mark Derian's relationship with the Whites this term.
Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Mick Croskery, Community Fundraiser for the organisation, and Susie Poppitt, Head of Fundraising, with the latter leading the group on a tour of the facility, meeting staff and youngsters in their care along the way.
Culminating in The Lodge, which caters for young people aged up to 25, the manager, Steve Parkin and players enjoyed cups of tea with the staff with Mark Howard even taking on a number of the residents at FIFA.
Speaking following the visit, manager Parkinson said, "We've really enjoyed coming down here today - it truly is an inspirational organisation.
"The staff are so positive and it is such a bright and happy place. You can see exactly why the club have supported Derian House for so long because it is a great cause and all the work that the staff do with the youngsters and their families is incredible and it is great to see it first hand.
"Derian set the benchmark for children's hospices around the country and it is a really worthwhile cause for our club to support, while they'll have their designated matchday against Cardiff City on December 23 with a bucket collection.
"Hopefully we can raise as much money as possible and give the children and their families the support that they need and deserve, while the players will be back here next month for their annual Christmas visit.”
Susie Poppitt echoed the manager's sentiments by adding, “The children and young people were so thrilled to meet everyone from Bolton Wanderers.
"Once again BWFC have pulled out all the stops to support us here at Derian House. The club sits at the heart of the community in Bolton, just as Derian House is at the heart of the community here - it is indeed the perfect partnership.”
Derian House is renowned throughout the region as being at the forefront of children’s palliative and respite care.
Families who have a child with a life shortening condition can choose from a range of care and support services to meet their family support and end of life care need, either at home, or in Derian House.
The emphasis is on giving support to children and their families and providing them with choices which deliver an approach to care as individual as they are.
Derian House has an enviable reputation in setting exceptionally high standards in children’s hospice care.
With a catchment area covering the whole of Lancashire and the South Lakes, it is currently supporting more than 300 families who have a child or young adult suffering from a life shortening condition, as well as providing bereavement support for a further 200 families.
For more information, please visit www.derianhouse.co.uk.