A seriously ill toddler desperately waiting for a life-saving double transplant got an early visit from Santa.
Zachary Bradford, from Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, may have just weeks to live as he waits for a small bowel and liver transplant.
Fundraising legend John O’Byrne brought the magical moment to three-year-old Zachary and two other sick children.
Zachary’s mum Jade said the visit allowed the family to make special memories when the tot’s future – and Christmas – is so uncertain.
She said: “One of the reasons it was so special to get Santa to the house was because we may not get to Christmas if he’s really unwell. Even if we do we may not be able to spend it at home.
“It gave us that Christmas feel at home which we may not get on Christmas day.
“He absolutely adored it. He and his brother were both in complete awe shouting ‘Santa’. It was so special and really intimate.
“Sadly he had been poorly and was only on pass for a few hours for the visit. So we’re so grateful it could happen.”
Zachary was put back on the transplant list earlier this year after he received a new liver in 2023, following five unsuccessful matches.
He had contracted sepsis during his recovery which severely damaged his donor organ – which must come from another child.
Jade, also mum to Zachary’s younger brother, Reuben, fears another infection could kill the youngster at any time and he recently contracted Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) leaving him in a serious condition in ICU.
She said: “We got discharged a few days ago to the hospice for respite but have been back in hospital since.
“Zachary is still very much active on the transplant list and we hope a match comes up for him but we’re very much aware that might not happen because of his size and the lack of donors.
“They gave us a prognosis of weeks or months because they’re scared that anytime he picks up a bug it could be the one that takes him.
“A Christmas party is very risky for Zachary now so that one on one Santa time also helped keep him safe and away from winter bugs.
“We’d been to John’s party the year before and met Santa but to have him come to the house was really personal and all my friends’ kids said ‘Zachary had Santa to his house, that’s so special.’”
Santa and his elf dropped in on Zachary and two other poorly children, David Goring, six, and eight-year-old Ollie Gibson.
David and his twin sister were born in September 2018 at just 24 weeks old.
David sustained a brain injury at birth leaving him with profound disabilities including quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
His mum Heather, dad Colin, twin Grace and big brother Nathan communicate with him by using on body signing.
Heather said: “As a family, we want to build memories and seek moments of joy.
“John’s kindness and desire to bring joy and magical moments to families like mine is truly a wonderful thing.”
Ollie, from Airdrie, spent five years in hospital after being born with an extremely rare mutated gene and a string of other health problems, such as epilepsy.
Ollie’s Dad John, who was there to welcome Santa with mum Sharon and siblings Ellie and Riley, said: “We haven’t seen Ollie smile like that in a long time. The light in his eyes was absolutely amazing to see.
“He is non verbal but you could tell he was laughing away.
“This is our second Christmas at home with Ollie and our first in our new disabled access house, so it’s going to be really special.
“I just think it’s amazing what John does for others.”
John O’Byrne has dedicated his life to making memories for sick children after spending much of his own childhood in hospital suffering from brittle bones.
The 45-year-old charity hero suffered an accident in his wheelchair earlier this year which left him with a fracture at the base of his spine and in agony.
He was devastated when he realised he would not be able to organise his yearly Christmas bash but arranged for Santa to deliver presents to three needy youngsters.
He said: “When Santa turned up to surprise the kids there was a big sparkle in their eyes. He spent a good bit of time with each family in a six-hour round trip and took each child a special gift.
“It was fantastic to see after such a difficult year.”
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