North Anston: X Factor winner Ben Haenow and contestants pay surprise visit to Bluebell Wood

X Factor winner Ben Haenow and his fellow contestants made a very special surprise visit to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice where they chatted with the children and brightened up their day.

Children and families at Bluebell Wood, in North Anston, enjoyed the visit from the hit ITV show on Thursday 5th March.

The stars took time out of their current tour, during which they are performing in Sheffield, to meet and chat with the children.

Kanisha Fullwood, aged 22, from Doncaster, really enjoyed the visit and got to meet winner Ben. She said: “They were fantastic!”

“It was lovely how they walked around the room and gave time to every single child and young person in here.”

“I can’t even say who my favourite was - I loved them all! I’m just so happy to have had the opportunity to meet them.”

Tina Vickers, mum of Kyle and James, said: “We deal with our circumstances day in day out. Nothing’s strange or unusual to us, but for other people looking in, it can be hard.”

“The X Factor stars were absolutely fantastic. They weren’t phased at all, and it made a really special day for us all to remember.”

The X Factor contestants who visited the hospice included winner Ben Haenow, Stereo Kicks, Jay James, Only The Young, Fleur East, Lauren Platt, Andrea Faustini and Stevi Richie.

X Factor’s Ben Haenow said: “I have really enjoyed visiting Bluebell Wood and meeting the children.”

“I can see that the hospice is filled with such love and laughter and that’s amazing.”

Claire Rintoul, chief executive at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, said: “We are very proud to welcome the X Factor to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.”

“Our children loved every minute of this fantastic opportunity, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

“We are very focused upon creating lovely, lasting memories and visits like this are incredibly special for our children .”

“I’d like to thank the X Factor for taking the time out of their busy schedule to visit.”