Parents of six-year-old who died waiting for transplant launch charity in his honour

William Fenton passed away in his parents' arms in December at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

William, from Callands had been on the transplant register for four months to receive a new bowel, liver and stomach but he never got his gift of life.

The Callands Community Primary School pupil was born with a rare form of Hirschsprung's disease called total intestinal aganglionosis.

The nerves in his bowel did not work meaning that he could not absorb food and so he got all his nutrition intravenously via a central line.

Unfortunately, over the years, this had an effect on his liver.

Tragically, William developed septic shock in late October and could not recover.

William Fenton

William's dad David said: "We are really determined to not only give William a legacy he deserves but even more importantly, help children and their families at stressful time.

"We spent the first full year of William's life in hospital and many days after in his six years.

"We know how hard it can be.

"Even though we have a good close family and friends we felt very lonely and isolated in hospital.

"I think people felt that we got accustomed to that way of life and people sometimes forgot about our predicament and hardship.

"William's Gift will offer a gentle reminder that people do care.

"The care packages will hopefully give those in need a bit of a pick me up."

In the past three months, David and his wife Jane have been working hard to set up a charity in William's name.

The legal documents for William's Gift have been submitted to the charity commission and his parents hope that the charity will be registered in the coming months.

David said: "We have already begun fundraising to try and get ahead of the game.

"I have signed up for a 24-hour endurance run in August which is going to test me to my limits."

The charity will provide care packages to children in hospital with bowel and TPN conditions.

William with his sister Sophia

There will be two types of packages; one for emergency and unexpected admissions will include essentials such as toiletries and snacks while the other package is for those who are in hospital long-term and will include toys, books and gift vouchers for a psychological boost.

David added: "Initially, we are covering Alder Hey and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital but will also be helping the children's ward at Warrington Hospital.

"We have been asked by a lot of people over the years about fundraising on our behalf and we have always given names of charities close to our hearts for people to raise funds for.

"We now have our own charity which is our heart."

You can donate to William's Gift at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/williamsgiftfundraising and to get involved with the charity email williamsgift@hotmail.com.