AXL Walker has proved he is a little fighter.

Struck down with a rare condition, his devastated parents Claire Gearie and her partner Ian Walker were told to prepare for the worst - but little Axl’s beating heart gave them hope.

Realistically the couple were told their son wouldn’t make it, but they knew in their heart of hearts that while he was still fighting they would fight too. “While he still fought we fought because, for me, it is the normal decision in the world, to fight for your kids,” says Claire.

It was during Claire’s 20 week scan that the couple, from Bradford, discovered their little boy was anaemic. “They gave him a blood transfusion while he was inside me and said if I had gone another two weeks he would have died,” recalls Claire.

Eight weeks before she was due, Claire had a planned C-section. Axl’s condition was such the family feared they were preparing for a post mortem, but over the next few weeks, and months, while being looked after at Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was transferred following his delivery at Leeds General Infirmary on May 10, 2015, he began to make progress.

The condition he was diagnosed with, CDA (congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia), is a rare blood disorder resulting from a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in the body, and a less than normal quantity of haemoglobin in the blood.

According to Claire there are only 300 cases of CDA known worldwide. She says although they don’t know the cause, tests are currently being carried out on the family’s blood samples by researchers in Oxford.

“We have sent our bloods down there so they are looking into it,” says Claire.

Axl, who also has a hole in his heart, has already proved he is a little fighter, but now the family are bracing themselves for the next stage - a bone marrow transplant due to take place in April next year.

Claire explains how, following tests within the family, his father Ian was found to be the perfect match.

“Knowing Ian was a match was amazing,”says Claire.

Looking ahead to the operation she says: “It is fantastic and nerve-wracking at the same time because he is so young.”

Claire explains, having the bone marrow operation will mean Axl won’t have to go for regular blood transfusions as he does now.

It is through having his regular transfusions that Axl, along with his five-year-old brother Lucas, have become part of the ‘family’ among staff within Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Ward 17.

And, it is in Axl’s honour, that Bradford Hospitals Children’s Charity has launched ‘Axl’s Toy Fund.’

The Axl Toy Fund is seeking donations so staff are able to purchase toys and equipment, such as special sensory toys, for the children’s wards, as well as fund craft activities, music therapy and entertainment during the festivities when poorly children can’t be part of their normal family celebrations due to their ill health.

Charity Fundraiser, Hayley Collis said: “We are so grateful to the many, many people who support Bradford Hospital Children’s Charity, especially around Christmas time because their kindness really does make a difference.

“However, sometimes people are unsure about what gifts are appropriate, or how they can help, so that’s why we decided to launch Axl’s Toy Fund to make donating easier for them and make Christmas really special for our patients. Encouraging people to make a gift of money will enable us to buy more suitable gifts and toys which can be kept on the wards and in the activity rooms.”

Having a low immune system Axl was struck down several times with bronchiolitis, a common lower respiratory tract infection which resulted in spells in hospital, including one in December last year.

Claire recalls he left hospital four weeks before Christmas, but during that time the family gleaned an insight into the fact that many children are forced to spend Christmas in hospital due to their ill health.

“It makes you appreciate all those children who are staying in hospital will not get a normal Christmas dinner, they won’t be sitting around with Aunties and Grandmas but they get presents and a visit from Santa and it gives them a tiny bit of a normal Christmas and it is just fantastic,” says Claire, referring to the effort the staff put in to making it the best Christmas they can.

Having that insight has given her and her family a greater impetus to get the Fund off the ground - and Claire is delighted it has been named in Axl’s honour.

Along with their ‘amazing support network’ of family and friends the family have already supported the Fund.

“We are so lucky, we have such amazing family and close friends,” says Claire.

Through their experience, the family have always been keen to give something back. This year Claire ran the Leeds 10K, raising £350 for the charity.

“The charity is really close to my heart. They have done so much for Axl. When he has his transfusions it is a home from home for him. The nurses are so amazing I just want to give something back.”

Claire says her son is ‘a little champion’ and his arrival has made her put her life into perspective. “It has changed me personally. I appreciate life so much more,” she says.

Now the family are keen to record every milestone - Claire is already compiling diaries to show Axl when he grows up and she is keen to document the naming of the fund in his honour,

“This charity is so important and it is such a small charity people don’t know it exists. The more we can promote it and shout about it the more they can do for the children.”

The charity has already captured the heart of Tracy Lee.

Tracy, her husband Russell and their two children, have illuminated their semi-detached home in Wrose with festive lights for several years.

There are snowmen in the garden, a reindeer on the roof, and many more symbols of the festive season.

Their home has become a popular place for passers-by so now the couple have decided to give The Axl Fund a cash boost.

Tracy discovered about the fund after contacting the hospital in search of a local children’s charity to support.

“We wanted something local and wanted it for children because it is Christmas,” says Tracy.

To support The Axl Fund, or for more information visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/bradfordteachinghospital/axlstoyfund2016-bhcc or call 01274 274809.