THE family of a young boy who lost his life to a rare disease have officially launched a charity in his honour and have been helping others during the pandemic.

Six-year-old boy William Fenton was waiting for a triple transplant for four months when he died in his parent’s arms in December.

William, from Callands had been on the transplant register for four months to receive a new bowel, liver and stomach but he never got his gift of life.

The Callands Community Primary School pupil was born with a rare form of Hirschsprung's disease called total intestinal aganglionosis.

Tragically, William developed septic shock in late October and could not recover.

David, William’s dad, said: “We set up William’s Gift as we know first-hand how difficult hospital life can be.

“We spent the first year of William's life in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, it is lonely, stressful and hard.

“We have helped so many children and their families in hospital already.”

The main aim of William’s Gift is to try and help families smile during difficult times by providing A Little Box of Smiles.

These are personalised gift boxes for children containing toys, board games, arts and crafts, books and more.

The charity also provides emergency packs for parents and guardians who have to stay with their child in an unexpected situation.

Known as A Little Bag of Help, these contain lots of essential items such as deodorant, shower gels, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

David said: “The Covid-19 situation has made life for these families even harder with siblings not being allowed to visit and only one parent at a time.

“Although our charity is only in its infancy it is going from strength to strength and the feedback we have got from the children and their families receiving the gift boxes have been truly humbling.

“So far, we have given out 180 Little Bags of Help to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House in Liverpool and Manchester, The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and the Children's Ward at Warrington Hospital.”

Recently, David, his wife Jane and daughter Sophia, met Jessica Dowle from Liverpool who suffers from a bowel condition and has a stoma.

The inspirational five-year-old sponsored 34 Buttony bears which each come with stoma bags after fundraising to raise awareness of her condition.

Dave added: “We gave Jessica A Little Box of Smiles and she gave us one huge smile back.”

You can donate to the charity at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/williamsgiftfundraising