Brothers and sisters who come to hospital with their unwell siblings will now have games consoles to play with thanks to a generous family.

Eastern Daily Press: Alison Hipkin with Evie and Pete Lavvaf with neonatal nurse Julie Oughton. Picture: Victoria FearAlison Hipkin with Evie and Pete Lavvaf with neonatal nurse Julie Oughton. Picture: Victoria Fear (Image: Archant)

Charlie Lavvaf, aged eight, has often joined his father Pete and mother Alison Hipkin during their regular trips to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Rudham Ward with three-year-old Evie, who was diagnosed with Rhizomelic Chondrodyslasia Punctata (RCDP).

Evie is among 40 children in the world with the life-limiting genetic disorder. Youngsters with the condition suffer with respiratory infections, heart defects and an inability to grow.

Evie, who weighs just 12lb, has regularly had to be admitted to the children's ward and Charlie has accompanied his parents, which prompted them to raise money to buy games consoles and equipment for other siblings.

Earlier this year, Pete raised £6,300 for Genetics Disorder UK by climbing to Everest Base Camp. He also raised an additional £2,000, with help from Heacham Minors FC, which has been divided between Rudham Ward, the QEH's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and East Anglian Children's Hospice.

The family, from Snettisham, with Nigel Jeavons of Hughes Electrical in Hunstanton, and the football club's Andrew Dix and Ian Guymer, presented games consoles to Rudham Ward and £500 to the NICU.

Mr Lavvaf said: 'The aim of the Everest trip was to raise awareness of RCPD along with money. That donation will be helping children in the future but we also wanted to do something to help other local good causes.

'Throughout our fundraising we have received so much support from both Nigel at Hughes, who kindly donated an Xbox One and an Ipad as well as everyone at Heacham Minors FC and we can't thank everyone who has supported us enough.'

Miss Hipkin added: 'We feel for the siblings who come into hospital with their brothers and sisters so we thought it would be nice to have something here for them and that is why we wanted to buy the consoles. Charlie is the driving force behind this idea.'

Hospital chief executive Jon Green said: 'The donations of money and games consoles are going to make a tremendous difference to the siblings who will be accompanying their families to hospital.'