TELEVISION star Kiefer Sutherland dropped in to provide a surprise visit to a hospice for children and young adults across Dorset after performing in the county.

Kiefer Sutherland, famous for his roles in 24, Stand By Me and Designated Survivor, met children, young adults, families, nurses and carers at Naomi House & Jacksplace on Sunday.

He was fresh from a performance at the O2 Academy in Boscombe and due to play at Wickham Festival, but found enough time to go to the hospice. He was responding to a plea the popular charity made on social media, asking Mr Sutherland to pay them a visit for “some tea, cake and a jam”.

And that’s precisely what he did. He played a whole medley of his songs with the support of his band, then enjoyed a cup of tea and some sponge cake while families explained the vital care available to them at the hospices, and staff detailed their complex nursing and care service.

Mr Sutherland stayed at the hospices for more than an hour before rushing back to the Wickham Festival site to deliver a set from the main stage.

Keith Wilson, the charity’s head of marketing, said: “When we recorded the video message for Kiefer we hoped he might see it, but thought it pretty unlikely. He is about as busy as a man can be at the moment.

“To wake up to a Twitter message from him saying he really wanted to come along was just incredible. He was so very generous with his time, great with the kids and a genuinely lovely man. Needless to say, he is welcome back anytime and we certainly plan to keep in touch.”

Social media posts about the star’s visit have since gone viral across the UK and US.

Naomi House & Jacksplace hospices care for more than 400 children and young adults with life-limiting conditions across the south of England.

For more information on Naomi House & Jacksplace, visit naomihouse.org.uk