A TERMINALLY ill hero lit up a children’s ward with Christmas presents.

Frank Charles, who lives in Wanstead, made his 14th annual trip to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone to bring festive cheer to poorly kids.

As well as receive gifts, children on Acorn Ward held the Olympic torch, which Mr Charles held as he ran through Redbridge in the build up to London 2012.

Mr Charles was inspired to help out after his son Ashley passed away at 23 months from Hirschsprung’s Disease, a rare bowel disorder. He was cared for at Whipps Cross until his tragic death.

Mr Charles was diagnosed with stage four Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and cancer of the bone marrow in 2010 but is determined to brighten the lives of children who face Christmas in hospital.

Turning trips to Whipps into an annual event was one of the last items on the hero’s bucket list, which he has managed to fulfil.

The activist set up the Frank Charles Give a Gift Appeal in 2004, which became a registered charity in 2015.

Haslers and The Salvation Army are two of the organisations who donated to this year’s appeal. Members of both organisations joined Mr Charles on his trip.

Mr Charles said: "I come to Whipps Cross each year in memory of my first son, Ashley, who would have turned 30 this year.

"I want to give something back to the hospital that looked after him, as well as bring gifts to the children and parents to make an uncertain time easier."

Ghislaine Stephenson, associate director of nursing at Acorn Ward said: "It was wonderful to welcome Frank back again this Christmas; he's a true friend of Whipps Cross and a bit of a celebrity these days.

"The smiles on the faces of our children and young people when they received their presents shows just how much Give A Gift means to them.

"It's a fantastic, local charity and all of us here are grateful to Frank and his many donors for helping to make Christmas magical."