A YOUNG boy with a rare heart condition who has been awaiting major surgery for six months – is donating hundreds of presents to a children’s hospital with his dad.

Five-year-old James Blair was diagnosed with Noonan syndrome from birth – a condition which can affect many areas of the body, including some form of critical congenital heart disease.

In James’s case, he suffers from a narrowing of the valve that controls blood flow from the heart and lungs, which now has a leakage.

Dad Paul Blair said he’s been told his son, an only child, will need surgery to fit a new valve.

“He’s had the condition since birth, and doctors are monitoring the problem and trying out different medication,” the 36-year-old dad explained.

“As he gets older, he’s going to get stronger, but they’ve said he definitely needs the surgery. They told us six months ago.”

Doctors are hoping the leakage in James’s valve reduces – but it’s unclear if he’ll need a temporary valve fitted or a permanent one, said his dad.

Paul and James’s mum are no longer together but have to take their son to Birmingham Children’s Hospital every three months.

Now, for the second year running, father and son, from St John’s, Worcester, are buying 200 £1 toys from The Honourable Auctioneer at Wellesbourne Market for children at the hospital.

They will then travel up to Birmingham in Paul’s lorry on December 15, in Christmas fancy dress to deliver the gifts.

“The reason for doing it, is basically, a lot of parents who have kids at the hospital can’t get there on Christmas because the bus services or whatever are reduced and not everyone can afford a taxi.

“If they don’t have transport, the children won’t get a visit from family on Christmas Day.

“If they’ve got something that’s a bit of a surprise, it’ll hopefully brighten up their day.”

Paul said he wraps and colour codes all presents so that hospital staff know which ones are for girls and which for boys, and also different ages.

“We take them in and leave them with the ward staff so they can distribute them as they see fit,” he said.

The gifts include jigsaws and colouring books, which the children can use while in the hospital.

Asked what James’s favourite part of the whole experience is, Paul said: “He gets the most excited about the lorry. He just goes nuts, getting to ride in there.”

The dad went on to say: “I’m trying to teach him about the power of giving. To take a step back – because a little gift for someone else doesn’t take much effort.”