THE family of a Wirral boy who spent his first Christmas in hospital are helping to make this year special for poorly children by donating around 200 toys to the ward where their son was treated.

Logan Gidman, from Rock Ferry, was just 17-weeks-old when he was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in 2012.

Having suffered from several complications during his first year of life, young Logan – who is now 20-months-old – had to spend nine months in hospital, first in Arrowe Park and then Alder Hey.

Despite spending it in hospital after undergoing several operations, Logan’s Christmas was not entirely ruined – something that parents James and Kathryn want to say thank you for.

“The Alder Hey team were fantastic,” said 32-year-old James.

“It was still pretty bleak spending Christmas Day in hospital rather than with family and friends but the hospital and Ronald MacDonald House were so supportive and helped us so much in making the most of Christmas, especially for our elder son Riley, who was three at the time.

“Christmas for children is a time of wonder and magic and thanks to staff and volunteers, it wasn’t totally lost for us last year.”

Both Logan and Riley - now four - received Christmas presents from the hospital and a visit from Santa, leading James and Kathryn to start their very own toy collection.

James said: “We wanted to give something back to Alder Hey.”

Friends, family and staff at the Co-operative Travel in West Kirby and Bromborough – where 30-year-old Kathryn used to work before becoming Logan’s full-time carer – helped to collect around 180 gifts, which included books, clothing, cuddly toys, jigsaws, board games, lego, makeup, craft sets, action figures and dolls.

“We were able to take them up to the hospital on December 16 so that this year those unfortunate enough to have to be in hospital on Christmas day will have something extra to open.”

The Gidman family are now looking forward to spend Christmas at home.

James added: “Thankfully this year Logan is stable and dealing with the ongoing fight with Cystic Fibrosis.

“It is a condition that currently is without a cure, but with extensive physiotherapy and a combination of medicines, Logan is able to lead a relatively normal life.”