Boy, 3, finally meets Santa after liver transplant

Three-year-old Ralf admires the Christmas decorations as he meets Santa for the first time without shielding

A three-year-old boy from Surrey is looking forward to celebrating his first proper Christmas after receiving a liver transplant from another child.

Ralf, from Haslemere, was born with a genetic condition and has spent half his life waiting for a donor - until a match was found in the summer.

His mother Daisy said they previously had to shield from other people at Christmas to avoid illness, but they could finally "see friends and family, see Father Christmas, sing carols, go to markets and enjoy opening his presents".

"Ralf is now living, and living fully. He has a spark for the first time, and we can finally see the boy he was always meant to be," she said, as part of an appeal for people to register their children as organ donors.

Ralf, who turns four in February, is looking to start school next September.

It's something his parents Daisy and Doug once thought might be impossible.

"It feels like such a privilege that this is something on his horizon... that really would be a dream come true," said Daisy, 36.

"Fear was a big part of our everyday lives. We had to watch our child get sicker and sicker and more and more unhappy; moving further away from others his own age, both developmentally and physically.

"The difference now Ralf has had his transplant could not be more dramatic."

The family said they think every day about the child who saved Ralf's life

Since his transplant, Ralf has thrived, to the delight of his parents.

"He has interests, makes up imaginary games, doesn't stop talking, is curious about the world around him, and is such a kind, empathetic person," said Daisy.

When the call finally came and a donor match was found, it was a bittersweet moment.

"It's very difficult to put into words what we think of Ralf's donor, but we think of them every day," said Daisy.

"Every laugh and happy moment Ralf has had since the summer is due to what his donor and their family have given.

"It feels incredibly special."