Having undergone a life-saving bone marrow transplant four years ago, a 12-year-old boy has raised almost £2,000 for the children and families who will be forced to celebrate their Christmas in hospital wards.

The idea was born when Gabriel Brooks and his younger brother, Josh, 11, were encouraged to take part in an entrepreneurial challenge, along with other schoolchildren across the city.

The ‘BiG Challenge‘ aims to get children thinking about the future by designing, making, and selling a product of their choice, while pocketing any profits made in the process.

But instead of keeping the money, Gabriel was adamant that he wanted to donate all of their profits to PACT, a South Yorkshire charity that provides support for families with children battling cancer.

The boys’ mother, Maria Panayi-Brooks, 49, from Stannington, said: “Gabriel was insistent that he wanted to do it.”

After much deliberation, the brothers decided that they would team up to create an array of Christmas decorations, using only up-cycled buttons and other, unwanted craft materials.

During Gabriel’s time in hospital, Mrs Panayi-Brooks recalled how PACT went above and beyond to ensure that both her son and her family were looked after.

The selfless youngster was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia four years ago, before eventually receiving a transplant through the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Since then, Gabriel has learnt that his donor travelled five hours to reach the transplant centre over the Christmas period, a trip that ultimately saved his life.

“She did all that for someone she didn’t know and, without it, he wouldn’t have seen Christmas,” said Mrs Panayi-Brooks.

Unable to leave her son’s side, the grateful mother explained that PACT volunteers would bring her breakfast and lunch everyday, along with a generous sack of presents on Christmas and birthdays.

Mrs Panayi-Brooks said: “We’re lucky enough to be at home this year, but that isn’t the case for some kids.”

The brothers have been overwhelmed by the response from their local community, after raising more than four times their original target.

“Gabriel wanted other children to have as nice a Christmas as possible,” said his mother.

“I honestly thought that we’d make about £50 from family and friends and that would be it.”

Gabriel and Josh will be at the Banner Cross Market from 2.00pm on Sunday 14 December and continuing to sell their products via Mrs Panayi-Brooks’ Facebook page.

Click here to visit their JustGiving site.