Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning visit their smallest fans at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital

A group of sick Coast children had their day brightened by a visit from the reigning NRL premiers, the Melbourne Storm.

Melbourne Storm players Harry Grant, Dale Finucane, patient Jett Jones, Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Maddie McAuliffe and Phumza Maweni during a visit to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.​

A group of sick Coast children had their day brightened by a visit from the reigning NRL premiers, the Melbourne Storm.

Three players and their netball counterparts, the Sunshine Coast Lightning, spent some time at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital on Tuesday raising spirits and delighting young fans.

Harry Grant, Tui Kamikamica and Dale Finucane joined Maddy McAuliffe, Phumza Maweni and Peace Proscovia visiting the children's ward.

The Storm are currently staying on the Coast after a trip earlier this year was canned due to COVID concerns.

The region played a special role for the southern team last year as it was the club's base for much of the season to avoid restrictions in their home state.

Maroons break out star Harry Grant said it was great to be able to get out into the community after so many cancelled plans.

"I wasn't a part of the camp last year but the boys didn't get an opportunity to get out and give back to the community," he said.

"It's a good opportunity for us to do something for the community that helped our squad so much last season."

Tui Kamikamica, Phumza Maweni, Harry Grant, Maddie McAuliffe, Dale Finucane and Peace Proscovia from the Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

The Central Queenslander said he was humbled by the opportunity to take time out and chat to those who were doing it tough.

"To be fair, we get just as much or more out of it than the kids do," Grant said.

"It really justifies why you're doing what you're doing and how much what you do means for other people."

Storm prop Tui Kamikamica said to put a smile on little faces meant everything.

"I always put myself in their shoes," he said.

"If I was a little kid and we had an NRL player coming in, I would be so happy and I'm happy to go inside and meet the kids."

Cooper Johns and Jahrome Hughes from the Melbourne Storm surprised some of their youngest fans in the community.

The hospital wasn't the only place the Storm struck on the Coast with a visit to Grill'd at Sunshine Plaza.

Jahrome Hughes, Cooper Johns and Max King delighted not only those chasing a burger fix but a group of young fans from the Nambour Crushers.

Grill'd franchise partner Cheryl Giles said it was great to see the players mixing with the community.

"A family came in with some really shy little kids who you could see were a bit nervous," she said.

"So the guys thought it might break the ice if they served up their dinner for them.

"The kids were really nervous about approaching these giant men, even though you could tell they wanted to."

Ms Giles said what happened next was really special to watch.

"20 minutes later after a good feed, those three little kids went over to Cooper, Max and Jahrome, ready to shake hands and get their photo."

"The Storm players are honestly the nicest guys, watching how they interacted with all their young fans was heartwarming."

The Storm will continue to call the Coast home until next Wednesday.