WILLIAM Fenton was born with a rare disease that affected his bowel – total intestinal aganglionosis.

In order to survive, he was fed intravenously with total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

William was just six years old when he passed away in December 2019 after developing complications.

His devastated parents Jane and David created William’s Gift in their son’s memory as a way of helping other families going through the same heart-breaking experiences.

William was born with a rare disease that affected his bowel – total intestinal aganglionosis

William was born with a rare disease that affected his bowel – total intestinal aganglionosis

The charity was formed in March 2020, providing ‘little boxes of smiles’ to children who were in hospital for long periods of time, ensuring they had lots of interesting things to keep them busy and entertained during their stay.

‘Little bags of help’ soon followed, which are packages for parents whose child has been admitted to hospital and might not have basic essentials like snacks and toiletries.

William’s Gift has been put forward as the nominee for Warrington in our Cash for Charities campaign and could take home a share of £16,000.

Our parent company’s charitable arm, The Gannett Foundation, is providing £128k in cash to support local charities across the country with a £16,000 share to distribute across the north west.

For the next two-and-a-half weeks, you are invited to collect tokens printed inside the Warrington Guardian which can then be sent to collections across the area or posted in to us.

Each token collected will be used to allocate the cash to the nominated charity – so if William’s Gift collects 50 per cent of all tokens collected it will receive 50 per cent of the £16,000.

Jane, who is one of the charity trustees, said: “We initially introduced our 'little box of smiles' for children who are on long term admissions and may need a bit of cheering up.

“They contain items that will help to keep the child entertained during their stay and we try to tailor them to the child's interests.

“We then developed our emergency parent bags - 'a little bag of help'.

“These are for parents and carers who may find themselves on an emergency admission with their child and not have any provisions with them.

“We also provide bravery bags for children on the ward who may have to undergo traumatic procedures such as a cannula or NG tube and they contain a bravery certificate and sticker and a couple of little toys.”

The hugely successful Christmas smile appeal which ensures children who spend the festive period in hospital have a gift to open on Christmas Day

The hugely successful Christmas smile appeal which ensures children who spend the festive period in hospital have a gift to open on Christmas Day

Everything William’s Gift provides is funded by donations and fundraising events throughout the year and any money received from the Cash for Charities campaign will go towards expanding the care packages to include intensive care units.

To get this week’s token turn to page 32 in the Warrington Guardian.

The deadline for votes is Sunday, November 20.

You can post your tokens or drop them off at collection points which are located at the following places:

• Asda Superstore (Birchwood Shopping Centre), 1 Dewhurst Road, Birchwood, WA3 7PG

• Valli Opticians (Birchwood Shopping Centre), 1 Dewhurst Road, Birchwood, WA3 7PG

• Marks and Spencer, Gemini Retail Park, Warrington, WA5 7WG

• Asda Superstore, Westbrook Shopping Centre, Cromwell Avenue, Warrington, WA5 8UG

• Tesco Extra, Winwick Road, Warrington, WA2 7NE

• Sainsbury’s, 100 Church Street, Warrington, WA1 2TN

• Asda Superstore (Cockhedge Shopping Centre), Warrington, WA1 2QA

• Morrison’s, Greenhall’s Avenue, Warrington, WA4 6RN

• One Stop, Callands Road, Warrington, WA5 9RJ