A BOY born with leukaemia became Santa’s little helper today (Thursday, December 18) when he delivered presents to children spending Christmas in hospital.

Max Pedelty, who has Down’s syndrome, dressed as one of Santa’s elves and delivered more than a hundred gifts to youngsters battling cancer.

The four-year-old, from Willington, County Durham, visited the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, where he spent eight months being treated for leukaemia.

His mother, Mandy Pedelty, said she felt elated after an overwhelming day.

“We can’t believe the support we have had from everyone. People we have never met have been so generous. We were still getting phone calls to drop gifts off until 10pm last night.” She said.

“A little girl was given a Doc McStuffins toy and she just screamed that it was all she ever wanted.

“My husband had it put together instantly and she was flying up and down on it with her mum running behind her holding her drip.”

Mandy and husband, Trevor, also have two older children, seven-year-old Joe who suffers with brittle asthma, and 15-year-old Mollie, who has epilepsy.

The family were inspired to collect and deliver the gifts after another family did the same for them two years ago.

Mrs Pedelty added: “When we were in hospital with Max on Christmas day it was awful. He was critical and I remember thinking that if he survived we were definitely going to do what Cory and his family did for us.

“It’s come full circle now and I’m just elated. Max had a check up today which went really well so I am feeling overwhelmed.”

Max is now in remission but still suffers major respiratory problems and has severe hypotonia, meaning his muscles are weak, making walking difficult.

He also has a very weak immune system as a result of his chemotherapy.

“We are so grateful to everyone. Matthew Todd from the Willington Community Resource Centre collected gifts for us and also managed to sort us a van.

“I don’t know what we would have done without a van because we had so much to take up with us.

“We also had two huge 7ft Santa Claus and Snowman balloons from Party Godmother in Bishop and there’s no way they would have fit in the car.

“It’s just been amazing, the feeling I have now I can’t put into words. We definitely want to do it again next year and keep doing it as long as we can.”