ENGLAND international football star Sol Campbell saw red on a visit to a Hampshire hospice caring for children with life limiting illnesses – but he didn’t mind one bit.

Far from being sent off, the Portsmouth Football Club captain was joining in the fun as he dipped his hand in red paint for an arts session at Naomi House, which he was visiting to help recruit volunteers.

Mr Campbell has visited the hospice several times, and remarked on the “happy, positive atmosphere” and how it made a difference to the children and families who visited.

“I know all the players and staff at Portsmouth FC support the hard work of everyone at Naomi House,” he said.

“I would really urge anyone who has any spare time to pick up the phone and find out how they could get involved here on a voluntary basis. After all, everyone has something to offer.”

The children were very excited by the soccer star’s visit to the hospice in Sutton Scotney. Several wore Pompey’s kit and some took part in a game of wheelchair football.

Hospice user Tom Smeeth, 16, who goes to school in Basingstoke, said: “It will be really cool to tell my friends that I met Sol.”

With Naomi House still struggling to recover £5.7m frozen in an Icelandic-owned bank, volunteers have never been more important to the hospice.

For every staff member, there are five volunteers donating time.

Hospice chairman Professor Khalid Aziz said: “Volunteers are an essential part of the team at Naomi House. There are many activities we simply could not achieve without them.”

Portsmouth FC encourages players, staff and its own volunteers to get involved with Naomi House and has donated more than £15,000 to help the hospice provide nurses and carers.

Mr Campbell was visiting as part of the Premier League’s Creating Chances programme. Naomi House has received a £4,000 donation from the scheme.