Terminally ill boy, 10, granted final wish to meet Santa

A terminally ill boy’s wish to see Santa for a final time is set to come true after an “amazing” response to his mum’s social media appeal.

Ten-year-old Jacob from Sefton in Merseyside was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder known as non-ketotic hyperglycinemia and is due to move into a hospice on Monday after his condition worsened.

His mum Gemma issued a plea on local Facebook pages for a Santa to come to their home in Netherton to give her son a final Christmas experience.

She said she was “bombarded with messages from the community wanting to help”, and within hours a visit was arranged.

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

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

Gemma and his father Kevin, 35, were told on Wednesday nothing more can be done for him.

She said the family was “numb and heartbroken” while Jacob, who has two brothers Joseph, aged two and Joel aged 12, is sleeping a lot.

The family had been due to take Jacob and his brothers on a trip to visit Santa next week, but his worsening condition meant he had to go into Claire House Children’s Hospice from Monday.

Gemma, who described her son as giggly and cheeky, said he has “brought us so much joy”.

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

Gemma said the palliative team at the hospice have supported him and “been incredible and guided us every step of the way”.

Jacob is obsessed by the Disney film Moana and the team have already organised someone to come in and sing songs from the movie to him.

She said she was still reeling at the “massive” reaction to her Facebook post where people had sorted a Santa within hours.

Her post on Facebook read: “My wish is for my boys to make as many memories as they can together as time is precious as their middle brother is terminally ill.”

Santa is due to visit the family later.