Sefton terminally ill boy, 10, granted final wish to meet Santa

A terminally ill boy’s wish to see Santa for the last time has come true after the “astonishing” response to his mother’s social media appeal.

Ten-year-old Jacob, from Sefton on Merseyside, was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder known as non-ketotic hyperglycinemia and is currently receiving end-of-life care after his condition worsened.

His mother, Gemma, posted a call on local Facebook pages for a Santa Claus to come to their home in Netherton to give her son one last Christmas experience.

He said he was “bombarded with messages from the community asking for help” and a visit was arranged within hours.

“It was amazing. I didn’t expect it,” the 34-year-old actor said.

Jacob was diagnosed with the rare condition when he was a few days old and has since developed gastrointestinal dystonia, a debilitating stomach condition caused by the neurological disorder.

Gemma and her father Kevin, 35, were told nothing more could be done for her on Wednesday.

He said the family was “numb and heartbroken” while Jacob, who has two brothers, two-year-old Joseph and 12-year-old Joel, slept a lot.

The family was supposed to take Jacob and his siblings on a trip to visit Santa next week, but was unable to go because his condition was deteriorating.

Describing her son as giggly and cheeky, Gemma said he “brings us so much joy”.

He said the opportunity to see Santa one last time before he moves into his “forever home” would delight him and allow him to “make precious memories” with his two brothers.

Speaking after Santa’s visit, Gemma said: “It was fantastic to be able to make our wish come true for our son to see Santa one last time.

“Thank you to Paula Blair from Kirkby’s Christmas Crusade and AC Mascots for coming along and making such a difficult time bearable.”

Gemma said the palliative team at the hospice supported her and were “incredible and guided us every step of the way”.

Jacob is obsessed with the Disney movie Moana, and the team has already arranged for someone to come and sing him songs from the movie.

He said he was still stunned by the “tremendous” response to his Facebook post, which had people singling out Santa within hours.

“My wish is for my sons to make as many memories together as possible because time is precious as their middle brother is terminally ill,” his post on Facebook read.