A seven-year-old boy from Wisbech, who has faced a serious health battle for much of the year, has personally delivered a huge donation of toys to bring festive cheer to other children who may be in hospital over Christmas.
A Personal Mission to Spread Joy
On Monday, December 22, Jensen Hurcombe and his mother, Terri Betts, arrived at the main entrance of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in King's Lynn, their arms laden with hundreds of gifts. The heartfelt donation was the result of a community appeal launched by Terri, motivated by the family's own difficult experiences.
In May 2025, Jensen was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anaemia, a serious condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells. After weeks of treatment, including frequent blood transfusions at QEH, he underwent a stem cell transplant at Addenbrooke's Hospital in August.
"I wanted to do this because it could have been Jensen in hospital over Christmas," said Terri. "Children deserve joy on Christmas Day, and it makes such a difference to parents during an incredibly difficult time. In 2025, Jensen has spent more days in hospital than not."
Community Rallies Behind Worthy Cause
Terri used the Facebook group 'Jensen's Story' – originally created to document his journey and raise awareness of Aplastic Anaemia – to ask the local community for toy donations. The response was overwhelming.
Members of the public, along with Jensen's family, answered the call, with many purchasing gifts specifically at the Wisbech Tesco store. The supermarket itself offered significant support for the initiative. Julie Bushby, a communication champion from Wisbech Tesco, stated: "We are so proud to have been able to support Jensen and help this worthy cause."
Delivering Smiles Despite Personal Challenges
Jensen, who had attended a hospital appointment earlier on the same day as the delivery, was delighted to help. "I feel happy to give these presents," the seven-year-old said. "I had fun when I was here with Karen - we played Uno and silly games."
The hospital's play team specialist, Nicola Wright, expressed her gratitude: "It was wonderful to see Jensen today. I'd like to thank Jensen and his family for thinking of others despite their own circumstances. They are amazing, and we are very grateful."
The successful toy drive and delivery highlight the power of community spirit, demonstrating how a family's personal challenge has been channelled into bringing light and happiness to others during the festive season.
