Mansfield man launches Christmas gift appeal for sick children because he "knows what it feels like like to be in and out of hospital

Mathew Gibson has an incurable nerve condition, called Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES), which has left him in severe pain.

He said: “The doctors told me thats about how much pain I’m in, women usually laugh what I say that, and obviously I have nothing to compare it to, but apparently it does feel comparable to being in labour."

Mathew, 26, of Mansfield Woodhouse trained as a youth worker but was forced to give up his job due to his illness.

But despite his dehabiltating condition, Mathew said he wants to ‘give something back ‘ to Kings Mill Hospital, after the staff there have done so much for him.

He will be collecting games consoles, tablets and other electronics for the childrens' ward as well as other toys.

He said: “I know what it feels like to be in and out of hospital like a yoyo.”

“I decided that I would dress up as one of Santa’s elf’s and take them some treats. Noone likes to be in hospital and it’s even worse to be there over the Christmas period.

“Things like tablets and games consoles will last all year round.“

Mathew will be handing out the gifts dress as an elf in December.

How you can help Mathew with his appeal:

Mathew is planning to buy chocolate selection boxes and other treats for the children at Kings Mill Hospital .

He has been in contact with big name brands to buy them at discounted prices.

- To donate cash visit https://www.gofundme.com/donations-for-childrens-ward

- To donate personal games consoles or tablets please email [email protected] to arrange this.

Any electronics are welcome as long as personal information can be wiped from them.

More than £200 has been raised so far.