London: Barcelona striker Luis Suarez reportedly sent 500 baskets of gifts for children and their families at a Uruguayan hospital before Christmas.

The baskets from the former Liverpool star included Christmas food and drinks, and he also donated the carts as part of his ambassadorial role at Uruguayan foundation 'Scremini Perez', a children's cancer charity.

On each bag the message, 'Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2015 with your loved ones. Luis Suarez and family' was quoted by the footballer, the Mirror reported.

El Observador, the Uruguay based newspaper tweeted a picture with a report stating that Luis Suarez donated Christmas baskets to Pereira Rossell Hospital.

Suarez reputation on the field, particularly in England, has suffered because of a career spanned with controversies since making his name with Ajax, including three separate biting incidents and a racism storm with then Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

The striker's failure to clean up his act sped up his exit from the Premier League .

However, Suarez, who is still seen as a legend in his native Uruguay, has show his big-hearted side by sending the Christmas gifts for children who would be spending the big day in hospital, the report added.