THE lives of children living with diseases are being made better thanks to the legacy left by Micky Bennett.

When the 12-year-old from Basildon, was in isolation at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, he decided to come up with a Christmas wishlist to make other sick children’s wishes come true.

Micky died in April from a type of leukaemia - Acute T-Cell Lymphoma - and his family are continuing what he started and have gathered presents for other children,

Micky captured the hearts of the nation including celebrities like footballer, Harry Kane, and rapper, Stormzy.

He raised £600 himself which was used to buy three Nintendo Switch consoles for children on the wards, and even spent £300 of his own money to buy gifts for others.

Micky’s mum, Lisa Bennett, said: “For us as a family, we cannot bear to think of Christmas this year, so we have chosen to give up our Christmas and do something special for those in hospital fighting real life battles.

“By doing the appeal I know it will fill us with pride and joy as we know it’s something our beautiful boy Micky would have done again.”

The family has teamed up with Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund who has offered to help with The Micky Bennett Christmas Wishlist Appeal.

Lisa added: “Even at his lowest, Micky wanted to spread love and joy to others - he was such a beautiful soul who is missed dearly.

“We just want to spread the same love and joy he did, not just to us but to people he had never met.

“I know this is a legacy he would love being the caring soul he was.

“We have asked for some joke items as Micky was a very cheeky sod, often pulling pranks on the staff at GOSH and Queens, so spreading his cheeky ways will make everyone laugh.”

Anyone wanting to donate gifts must ensure they are new and not gift-wrapped for infection control reasons.

Send items to Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund, Micky’s Christmas Wishlist, Head Office, First Floor, 1-3 Western Road, Romford, RM1 3LD.