Paralympic swimmer Amy Marren, who won Bronze in the Rio Paralympics this year, paid a visit to Queen’s Hospital just before Christmas to hand out presents to our poorly young patients.

It was the second year the former Hall Mead pupil paid a festive visit to the hospital, as part of her role with the Danny Green Fund, a charity set up in memory of 11-year-old Danny, who battled a brain tumour and died in 2012.

The charity collects donations of brand new toys which are then delivered to children in hospital, some who are facing Christmas Day on the children’s ward.

Amy, of Hornchurch, said: “I really like seeing how happy the kids are when you give them a present. They’re quite exciting presents, the charity is lucky people donate so much.

“It must be quite hard for the parents of children in hospital over the festive season, so it’s nice to make them smile too.”

Among the children Amy met was four-year-old Milly Curran, who had been in our hospital for a week after having difficulty walking. Amy’s visit, on Friday 23 December, was the first day she was able to walk and put on her favourite princess dress specially to meet her.

Milly, of Rainham, also got to wear Amy’s medal.

Mum Rebecca, said: “This was the first time she’s walked in a week and she loved getting a present.”

Amy, 18, was taking a break from her studies in geography and sports management at Loughborough University when she visited our hospital.