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Baines plays Santa Claus, moved by a young boy's dream

Everton player takes boy Xmas shopping

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

As the holiday season gathers steam, more and more members of the Everton family are stepping up and doing good things.

Kenzie Appleton is a young boy who has been in and out of Alder Hey Hospital since the age of four when he was diagnosed with a rare bone condition where low blood supply weakens his thigh bone. To thank the hospital for their care of him, the youngster decided to become a fundraising ambassador for the hospital charity and started his own fundraising appeal to collect gifts for children who were not as fortunate as him and would still be under medical care during the festive time.

Earlier this week Toffees players visited the hospital to bring presents and cheer patients there. Leighton Baines has been a patron of the Liverpool children's hospital since earlier this year.

When Baines heard about little Kenzie's drive, he was immediately driven to give his collection a boost by taking him on a shopping trip to a local toy store to buy a trolley full of presents.

"I was really touched by Kenzie's story when I met him at Alder Hey. What he's doing for other kids is just amazing.

"For a young man who has gone through such difficult times to not think about himself but want to help other children in similar situations, is incredible.

"So I really just wanted to be able to help him out and make sure he's got lots of toys to hand out to the kids at the hospital before Christmas."

The toys that Baines donated will be added to those Kenzie has already collected and the youngster will pay a visit to the wards of Alder Hey on Friday to hand them out to patients.

Kenzie said:

"I'm like Santa's head elf! I'm not thinking about what I want for Christmas, I'm just thinking about the other children and I'm looking forward to handing out the toys to the boys and girls at Alder Hey."

Watch the video below of the pair's shopping trip, courtesy of Everton FC.

Bless you Kenzie, what a selfless child!