A NEWPORT fundraiser brought Christmas cheer to children suffering with cancer last month in an annual gift-giving event.

Mark Fredrickson, 38, from Green Close, visited the oncology unit on Wednesday December 23, to deliver £2,500 worth of presents.

In his fourth annual visit to the University Hospital of South Wales, the fundraiser brought along world champion boxer Lee Selby, who signed autographs and let children hold his world title belt.

Former champion boxer Gary Buckland also attended the event.

Mr Fredrickson said: “Lee and myself had tears in our eyes as we were invited to watch a beautiful 16-month old baby ring a brass bell three times as a sign that treatment has ended and chemo has worked.

"The children love to get photographs with such a local hero and seeing the children’s smiling faces is just inspirational.”

Lee Selby, 28, added: “It has been really rewarding for me and it is very nice to give back to the children that haven’t got much.”

The fundraising is run in conjunction with the Latch charity, which supports children being treated at the Oncology unit at the Children’s Hospital of South Wales.

Denise Henderson, of Latch, described Mr Fredrickson as a longstanding supporter of the oncology unit who “makes sure all children have a very special Christmas.”

She added: “We cannot thank Mark enough for his kindness to the children who are going through such a difficult time.”

Mr Fredrickson also thanked supporters Platinum Dogz, businessman Stephen Gibbons, The Tanning Studio, Caerleon Road and Michelle Roche.

He added: "although it’s hard to make these annual visits we get an enormous sense of pride from what we do and will continue helping the amazing Latch charity staff forever."