The family of an ill three-year-old are appealing for help to build a garden he can play in.

Henry Bancroft, who has spent the last 13 weeks in hospital, suffers from XIAP, a rare condition that means he spends much of his life in hospital and has had a bone marrow transplant.

There are less than 150 cases of XIAP in the world; nine of which are within the Bancroft family. XIAP affects the immune and digestive systems as well as the skin and blood. In 2016, Henry had a bone marrow transplant after he received donor cells from Germany which saved his life.

Just before his transplant, he suffered from a rare blood infection and Henry had to go through chemotherapy.

He has now developed osteoporosis. He is currently in hospital because of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Watford Observer:

Henry with mum Vicky

The family have lived in their home in Offord Grove in Leavesden for four years.

Unfortunately for the Bancrofts and for Henry, their garden is built on a relatively steep incline and it means Henry cannot climb the hill to play on the grass without someone holding his hand.

His mum Vicky, 27, wants to level the garden out for Henry so that he can play outside with his sisters Millie-Rose, 8, and Sophia, 4.

She said: “Because of Henry’s condition, it is very easy to pick up infections so he cannot go to busy parks. But at the moment, he can’t use the garden. He is either in hospital or in the house where it is very controlled.

“The garden will give him freedom and the chance to be a proper little boy.”

Despite dad James fundraising for charity, by running two London marathons as well as competing in the Isle of Wight challenge, they don’t have what they need to make their garden suitable.

Watford Observer:

Mrs Bancroft has managed to find labourers, Limebok Landscaping, who will do the work for free.

But she needs the tools and materials.

She is appealing for people to donate paving slabs to extend the patio, artificial grass, sand, a couple of skips and anything else that might be useful to level out a garden.

“Henry is rarely not smiling and he deserves something like this.”

If anyone has the tools or materials to help Henry and his family, you can contact Vicky at vicky-ames@hotmail.co.uk or through the just giving page, Henry’s Wish.