CHRISTMAS was made perfect for hundreds of sick children thanks to the generosity of people who donated sackloads of gifts.

The Danny Green Fund, based on Canvey, launched its annual appeal for presents to help put a smile on the faces of children at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The charity was so inundated with support this year, receiving more than 400 gifts from families across south Essex, volunteers spread the festive cheer even further afield and paid extra visits to Little Havens children’s hospice in Thundersley, as well as Basildon and Southend Hospitals.

The Danny Green Fund was launched in July last year by the family of Danny, 11, who died after losing a battle with brain and spinal cancer. His mother, Lisa Green, 46, of Hallet Road, Canvey, said: “We were just totally amazed by people’s generosity. The response was just unbelievable. “People would come in with a gift and then their friends would come in and it just escalated from there.

“We must have had more than 400 gifts, so we decided to visit Little Havens and the two hospitals in south Essex as well.

“It’s lovely, because the kids just light up when you see them and their parents are so grateful too, because obviously the hospital is the last place you want to be at Christmas time.

“We know how hard it is having gone through it all with Danny.

“It’s still really hard for us, but doing this helps keep us busy and makes their Christmases a little easier.”

The Danny Green Fund aims to support children under 16 who are suffering from posterior fossa syndrome – a rare condition which can occur after a brain tumour is surgically removed from the brain stem.

Jerusha Murdoch-Kelly, matron for acute paediatrics at Basildon Hospital, said: “It was a lovely gesture from the Danny Green Fund to bring so many presents for children who will be in hospital over Christmas.

“Acts of kindness like this make such a difference to young patients. They also brought chocolates for the nurse, which were greatly appreciated too.”