A BOY who suffers from heart problems has helped gather hundreds of presents for children in hospital.

Alfie Nelson, nine, of Rochford Gardens, Slough, has spent a considerable amount of time hospitalised at Wexham Park due to complications arising from meningitis that has affected his heart.

Last Christmas, Alfie collected 250 presents for the children his ward – and now he wants to do it all again.

His mother, Louise Nelson, 38, said: “Alfie was born premature, and meningitis lead to his heart condition. He’s had to be fitted with a pacemaker – he had surgery in May, but it wasn’t successful, so he is building strength for another operation. He’s been spending a lot of time in hospital, and he became concerned about the other children in the ward. Last year, I put an online appeal up on Facebook, and it went wild. Sainsbury’s picked up the appeal, and we gathered over 250 presents for the children.

“This year, he started asking about the other kids again, so we started it up once more – and we received over 100 presents in just two days.”

The appeal is being championed this year by Asda, in Telford Drive, Slough, Alfie’s school, Our Lady of Peace Catholic School, in Derwent Drive, Slough, and the Chupa Chups confectionary head office in Straight Road, Windsor. Miss Nelson said: “We’ve received books, toys, games – all of them new. They are gifts for children of all ages, as the ward cares for babies and children all the way up to 18. Alfie is my inspiration – it’s really heartwarming to see how much he cares about the other children.”

The presents will be given out to the patients at Wexham Park on Wednesday, December 20. To donate, contact Louise on nelsonlouise68@googlemail.com