A little boy who spent a Christmas in hospital fighting for his life is hoping to brighten up the festive season for poorly youngsters.

Oakley Orange almost died when he was struck with Stevens-Johnson syndrome – a condition which causes the skin to burn from the inside.

The Strood schoolboy was admitted to hospital at the beginning of December in 2013 when he was given a 65% chance of survival. But over the next few weeks he deteriorated rapidly and doctors told his family to prepare for the worst.

The condition not only led to Oakley losing all his skin, but it affected his internal organs, leaving him unable to breathe on his own and battling hypothermia and a lung infection.

He spent three months in hospital. Despite still suffering long-term effects of the illness, Oakley, now 10, wants to help others.

Christmas is still a difficult time for the family, as it brings back painful memories. But they want to bring a little festive cheer to youngsters who are ill in hospital this December.

Mum Lorraine has joined forces with her friend Natalie Kay to deliver presents to children’s wards across Kent and beyond.

Natalie’s daughter Darcie, four, was diagnosed with cancer when she was just a few weeks old. Lorraine and Natalie have been there to support each other as their children have both, in turn, battled for survival.

Natalie, who is originally from Strood but now lives in Canterbury, has launched an appeal to support a number of hospitals – Medway Maritime, William Harvey in Ashford, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in Margate, and the Royal Marsden and Great Ormond Street in London.

Natalie has recruited several mums and their children, who have all been ill over the last few years, to deliver the presents to each hospital. Oakley will be going to Medway Maritime.

Lorraine, of Empire Road, Strood, said: “For us Christmas is always going to be different but we hope we can make other kids smile this Christmas. If we have enough presents we would like to go to the children’s wards and the children’s A&E.”

Darcie was diagnosed with cancer when she was seven weeks old after her mum found a lump just a few weeks after she was born.

She had infantile fibrosarcoma – cancer which forms in bone tissue and then spreads.

The youngster has undergone chemotherapy and a number of operations, including having part of one of her lungs and three ribs removed, and is now in remission.

Mum Natalie, a former pupil of Chapter School, now Strood Academy, said: “We were lucky enough not to be in hospital over Christmas. But other children are not so lucky.”

With Lorraine’s help, Natalie has collected dozens of items to give as gifts this Christmas from chocolate and sweets, to colouring books, toys and games.

Natalie, 34, of London Road, Canterbury, said: “Lorraine was always there for me and kept me going when Darcie was ill so I knew I could rely on her for help with the appeal.”

To donate search Xmas Gift Appeal for Poorly Children in Hospital on Facebook, or call Lorraine on 07900285641.