Several renown athletes on Tuesday joined Toby Tanser, the Shoe4Africa Foundation director, and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) management in offering Christmas gifts to the sick children at the facility.

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Among the athletes that graced the occasion include marathoner Mary Keitany,  2008 Summer Olympics Women's 800 metres gold medalist Janet Jepkosgei, Paul Chelimo and Luka Cherono.

According to Toby Tanser, they aim to touch the children in a warm way during the festive season and also lift their spirit and help them back to good health.

“We were able to bring our resources together and buy gifts for the kids in a move to cheer them up during this festive season since most of them have stayed in the hospital for long without anyone thinking about them,” said Tanser.

Speaking at the Shoe4Africa Children's hospital on Tuesday, Tanser said Kenyans should help the less fortunate in the country during this festive season.

“Children are a gift from God and it’s always good to share with them during the festive season. They are not able to go home because they are sick and giving them gifts will lift their spirits,” he noted. 

More than 400 types of gifts were distributed to the more than 200 children who are admitted at the hospital.

Among the gifts that were given include food, clothing, 6,000 books and dolls.